GIFT  OF 

tV 


mfru^ 

University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


A  SOUVENIR 


OF  THE 


mitron 


OF 


RAILROAD  AGENTS, 


1870. 


BY  ONE  OF  THE  PARTY. 


ALBANY: 

WEED,    PARSONS  AND   COMPANY,    PRINTERS. 


O  F 


57 


438943 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Introduction,  5 

Initiation  of  Excursion,      -  7 

Chicago  to  Omaha,         -  -     IO 

Arrival  at  Omaha,     -                                                                           -  12 

Officers  and  Offices  of  U.  P.  R.  R.,  14 

The  Start,  *4 

Fac  Simile  of  Tickets  (opp.),  *5 

List  of  Excursionists, 15 

Platte  River,          -  -     20 

Cheyenne, 23 

Denver,  -    23 

Rocky  Mountains,      - 27 

The  Inside  of  the  Train, -     28 

Fort  Fred.  Steele, 31 

Evening  Pleasures, 32 

Echo  and  Weber  Canons, -  34 

Salt  Lake  City,  -     36 

Ogden,      - 38 

Programme,  .---------39 

Central  Pacific  Railroad,    -         -  4O 

Central  Pacific  Divisions,  -     41 

Indians,     -         ...  43 

Humboldt  Canon,          -         -  44 

Approaching  the  Sierras,  -  45 

The  Summit,  -     47 

Cape  Horn,  49 


PAGE. 

Sacramento,  -  .     5 1 

San  Francisco,  -  -         52 

Sight  Seeing, ...54 

Neilson's  Speech,  _         .         55 

Chinese  Quarters,          --.--....     eg 

Trip  down  the  Coast,          -  60 

San  Mateo,     -  61 

Fair  Oaks,  Merilo  Park  and  Belmont, 64 

The  Bay  and  the  Golden  Gate,        -  .  66 

Last  Day,    -  .         7I 

Resolutions,    ---.--..-..72 

Dinner,  Grand  Hotel, --74 

Return,  --------..._     75 

Alta  and  Donner  Lake,       --------         77 

Presentation,  Humboldt,         ---.---.     77 
Arrival  at  Ogden,         -  -         ....  -         81 

An  Affecting  Incident,    ---------     82 

Ogden  to  Sidney, _         ...         -         83 

Railroad  Material  and  Lands,  _,__-__  gc 
Incidents,  -----..__.  -87 
Near  the  Terminus,  --.-.._.  88 

Pacific  Roads,     ----.__.  -         89 

Separation,      •-  ..-.»...     gi 


INTRODUCTION. 


F  I  "AHE  excursion  of  September,  1870,  of  railroad 
-"•  officials  over  the  Pacific  Railways,  was  so  perfect 
and  so  pleasurable  to  its  participants,  that,  before  the 
breaking  up  of  the  party  at  Omaha,  many  of  them 
requested  the  author  to  compile  and  write  a  brief  his- 
tory of  that  wonderful  trip. 

The  writer  pretends  to  no  peculiar  skill  as  a  chron- 
icler of  events.  He  hopes,  in  these  few  pages,  only  to 
bring  to  mind  and  preserve  some  of  the  pleasurable 
incidents,  and  a  general  outline  of  what  was  to  the 
participants  the  brightest  and  most  enjoyable  tour  of 
their  lives. 

The  route,  which  the  party  traversed,  has  in  guide 
books  and  by  correspondents  been  described,  both 
generally  and  in  detail.  There  will  be,  then,  no 
attempt  in  the  within  to  any  thing  more  than  a  mere 
glancing  description  of  the  places  and  scenes  along 


the  route,  as  necessarily  connected  with  the    history 
of  the  excursion. 

In  preparing  these  pages  the  writer  acknowledges 
his  indebtedness  to  the  reports  of  newspaper  corre- 
spondents for  many  connected  facts  as  regards  time 
and  place  in  relation  to  the  excursion. 


INITIATION   OF   EXCURSION. 


The  following  invitations  were  issued  by  the  Union 
and  Central  Pacific  Railroad  Companies  to  the  general 
passenger,  ticket  and  freight  agents  of  the  railroads 
of  the  United  States  and  Canadas: 

CENTRAL  AND  UNION  PACIFIC  R.  R.  LINE. 

GENERAL  PASSENGER  OFFICE,  U.  P.  R.  R.,         ) 
OMAHA,  Nebraska,  August  15^,  1870.  ' 
DEAR  SIR  : 

The  general  officers  of  the  Central  and  Union  Pacific  Railroads  unite 
in  extending  to  you  a  most  cordial  invitation  to  join  in  a  special  excur- 
sion of  the  general  passenger,  ticket  and  freight  agents  of  the  railroads 
of  the  United  States  and  Canadas. 

A  special  train  of  palace  sleepers  will  leave  Omaha  fifteen  days 
previous  to  the  sitting  of  the  general  ticket  agents'  convention  at 
Milwaukee ;  and  return  in  time  to  accommodate  those  wishing  to  attend 
that  meeting. 

The  train  will  pass,  en  route,  Great  Salt  Lake  City,  the  canons  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  the  passes  of  the  Sierras,  and  other  points  of  interest 
by  daylight. 

Please  intimate  to  the  general  passenger  office  of  the  U.  P.  R.  R.  at 
Omaha,  by  September  1st,  your  acceptance  of  this  joint  invitation,  that 
suitable  arrangements  may  be  made.  You  will  be  notified  of  the  day 
and  hour  of  departure  from  Omaha,  as  soon  as  the  date  of  the  general 
ticket  agents'  convention  is  definitely  fixed. 

We  trust  you  will  find  it  convenient  to  join  the  excursion,  and  unite 
pleasure  and  rest  with  business,  while  studying  the  new  relations  exist- 
ing between  the  great  states  and  territories  west  of  the  Missouri  river, 
and  the  older  states  of  the  South  and  East ;  and  more  especially  the 
questions  and  necessities  arising  from  the  new  routes  opened  up  by  the 
Pacific  Railway,  in  connection  with  the  several  steamship  lines  estab- 


8 

lished  between  San  Francisco  and  the  Transpacific  ports  of  India, 
China,  Japan,  Australia  and  the  Sandwich  Islands ;  and  the  ports  of  the 
North  and  South  Pacific. 

A  correct  knowledge  of  all  the  important  facts  connected  with  these 
new  developments  can  only  be  obtained  by  personal  investigation. 
Every  railway  on  the  continent  is  intimately  interested.  Union  and 
co-operation  is  required  to  utilize  the  advantages  arising  from  the  posi- 
tion of  our  country  in  relation  to  the  carrying  trade  between  the  con- 
tinents on  either  side. 

Very  respectfully, 
T.  H.  GOODMAN,  FRANCIS  COLTON, 

G.  P.  A.  C.  P.  R.   R.  G.  P.  A.  U.  P.  R.   R. 

C.  W.  SMITH,  WM.  MARTIN, 

G.  F.  A.  C.  P.  R.   R.  and  G.  F.  A.  U.  P.  R.  R 

President  General  Freight  Agents'  Association. 

I  heartily  indorse  and  recommend  the  above  invitation. 

A.  A.  BARNES, 
President  General  Ticket  Agents'*  Convention. 

NOTE. — The  wives  of  the  invited  officers  are  included  in  the  above 
invitation. 

Sixteen  days  after  the  issue  of  the  foregoing  invita- 
tion, the  time  of  the  general  ticket  agents'  conven- 
tion at  Chicago  being  fixed,  the  following  notification 
was  sent  forth : 

UNION  AND  CENTRAL  PACIFIC  RAILROAD  LINE. 

GENERAL  PASSENGER  DEPARTMENT,  UNION  PACIFIC  RAILROAD,         ) 
OMAHA,  Nebraska,  August  yist,  1870.  ( 

DEAR  SIR  : 

Respectfully  referring  to  the  invitation  from  this  line  of  August  I5th, 
1870,  asking  you  to  join  in  an  excursion  to  the  Pacific,  you  are  hereby 
notified  that  a  SPECIAL  TRAIN,  for  the  conveyance  of  those  invited,  will 
leave  Omaha,  September  1 3th,  arriving  in  San  Francisco,  Sunday,  i8th, 
or  Monday,  iQth,  according  to  stops  en  route  as  the  party  may  wish  to 
make.  Returning,  leave  San  Francisco,  Friday  evening,  23d,  arriving 
in  Omaha  27th,  and  Chicago  28th. 


If  you  should  wish  to  remain  in  San  Francisco  a  longer  time  than  that 
indicated  above,  you  can  come  earlier  than  the  regular  day  of  starting. 

Jos.  YOUNG,  Esq.,  General  Superintendent  of  the  Utah  Central  Rail- 
road, unites  in  the  invitation,  and  will  take  the  special  train  over  his 
road  to  Salt  Lake  City  and  return. 

Very  respectfully  Yours, 
T.  H.  GOODMAN,  FRANS.  COLTON, 

G.  P.  A.  C.  P.  R.  R.  G.  P.  A.   U.  P.  R.  R. 

Immediately  on  the  issue  of  the  foregoing  notifica- 
tion, the  following  generous  invitations  from  roads  in 
immediate  connection  with  the  Union  and  Central 
Pacific,  were  sent  to  all  who  had  been  invited  by  the 
latter : 

CIRCULAR  No.   22. 

CHICAGO,  ROCK  ISLAND  AND  PACIFIC  RAILROAD,         ) 
CHICAGO,  September  ist,  1870.  ) 

DEAR  SIR  : 

This  road,  in  connection  with  the  Union  and  Central  Pacific  Rail- 
roads, extends  to  the  general  freight,  ticket  and  passenger  agents  of 
your  road  a  cordial  invitation  to  join  in  the  excursion  to  the  Pacific 
coast,  leaving  Chicago  on  Monday,  September  I2th,  and  arriving  at 
San  Francisco,  Sunday,  September  1 8th,  or  Monday,  September  igth. 
Returning,  the  special  train  will  leave  San  Francisco  Friday  evening, 
23d,  arriving  at  Chicago  in  time  for  the  general  ticket  agents'  conven- 
tion on  the  28th. 

The  ladies  of  the  officers  mentioned  above  are  included  in  this  invi- 
tation. Respectfully, 

E.  ST.  JOHN, 

General  Ticket  Agent. 

Approved,  LEWIS  VIELE, 

HUGH  RIDDLE,  General  Freight  Agent. 

General  Superintendent* 

CHICAGO,  BURLINGTON  AND  QUINCY  RAILROAD  COMPANY,  \ 
CHICAGO,  September  5,  1870.       ^ 
DEAR  SIR  : 

Presuming  that  you  will  accept  the  invitation  of  the  Union  and  Cen- 
tral Pacific  Railroads  for  their  excursion  from  Omaha  to  San  Francisco, 
it  gives  us  pleasure  to  extend  the  courtesy  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
and  Missouri  River  Railroad  line  from  Chicago  to  Omaha  and  return, 
for  yourself  and  lady. 

2 


IO 

Our  train,  with  Pullman's  palace  cars  will  leave  Chicago,  Monday, 
I2th  inst.,  at  10:45  A-  M->  and  connect  with  special  train  from  Omaha  on 
the  1 3th. 

Hoping  to  have  the  pleasure  of  your  company, 

We  are,  very  respectfully, 

SAM'L  POWELL, 

General  Ticket  Agent. 
E.   R.  WADSWORTH, 

General  Freight  Agent. 

A  similar  generous  invitation  was  issued  from  the 
office  of  the  Chicago  and  North-western  Railway, 
signed  by  H.  P.  Stanwood,  G.  T.  A.,  and  other  offi- 
cers of  the  road. 


CHICAGO    TO    OMAHA. 

By  the  I2th  of  September  there  had  gathered  at 
Chicago  a  majority  of  the  party  destined  for  the  Pacific. 
On  that  morning,  bright  and  beautiful,  extra  palace 
cars  were  attached  for  the  accommodation  of  the  ex- 
cursionists, on  each  of  the  three  railways  leading  to 
Council  Bluffs. 

Some  chose  one  route  and  some  another,  more  from 
local  curiosity  and  companionship  than  from  partiality 
to  either  route.  The  party  was  about  equally  divided. 
The  writer  went  by  the  Chicago  and  Rock  Island  road, 
and  was  a  recipient,  with  twenty  other  favored  ones,  of 
the  kind  attentions  and  multiplied  favors  of  Mr.  E.  St. 
John,  the  gentlemanly  general  ticket  agent  of  that  road. 
It  was  a  day  of  unalloyed  pleasure. 


II 

How  could  it  be  otherwise  ?  Passing  through  the 
two  great  agricultural  states,  Illinois  and  Iowa,  in  a 
regal  car,  perfect  in  all  its  appointments,  surrounded 
by  a  genial,  sensible  company,  and  a  perfect  autumn 
day,  and  you  have  all  the  conditions  possible  for  enjoy- 
ment. And  we  did  enjoy  it,  thanks  to  the  road  and 
the  gentleman  who  acted  as  our  host  We  shall  never 
forget  him,  and  his  amiable  and  intelligent  wife. 

Equally  pleased  and  elegantly  cared  for  were  those 
of  our  number  who  took  the  other  routes.  Mrs. 
Evarts,  in  the  Chicago  Journal,  thus  speaks  of  their  ride 
over  the  North-western :  "  In  the  first  place,  a  brand- 
new  car.  No  second-hand  upholstery  —  no  dingy 
hangings  and  battered  wood-work  for  us.  The  wheeled 
palace  we  occupied  was  fresh  from  the  shops.  We 
were  the  sharers  of  its  virgin  trip.  H.  P.  Stanwood, 
the  courteous  ticket  agent  of  the  North-western,  lost 
no  opportunity  of  making  us  feel  at  home  and  com- 
fortable. The  day  sped  delightfully  away  in  chatting, 
reading,  or  looking  out  upon  the  beautiful  country, 
as  it  flashed  by  in  endless  panorama  of  hill,  forest  and 
meadow." 

A  like  report  did  we  hear  from  those  who  took  the 
Burlington  and  Quincy  route,  under  the  charge  of  Mr. 
Samuel  Powell,  general  ticket  agent.  All  spoke  in 
the  highest  terms  of  attentions  shown  them,  and  the 
comfort  and  pleasure  experienced  on  that  road. 


12 


ARRIVAL  AT  OMAHA. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  I3th,  we 
reached  the  banks  of  the  Missouri  at  Council  Bluffs. 
As  we  stepped  from  our  palace  home,  on  the  landing, 
we  heard  the  whistles  of  the  trains  which  bore  our 
fellow  excursionists  from  Chicago,  and  saw  them  with 
us,  carpet  bags  in  hand,  hastening  for  the  same  ferry- 
boat to  cross  the  river  into  Omaha.  We  thought  to 
ourselves,  well,  railroading  is  at  least  approaching 
perfection,  when  three  trains  coursing  over  five 
hundred  miles,  often  separated  in  their  routes  an 
hundred  miles  or  more,  traversing  a  widely  different 
region  of  country,  and  yet  reaching  a  given  point 
within  ten  minutes  of  each  other.  There  are  not, 
probably,  in  this  country  three  better  equipped  and 
worked  railroads  than  the  Chicago  and  Rock  Island, 
the  Chicago  and  North-  western,  and  the  Chicago, 
Burlington  and  Quincy. 

Crossing  the  river,  we  were  met  at  the  landing  by  a 
committee  of  the  Common  Council  of  the  city.  Car- 
riages were  furnished  us,  many  of  them  private. 
Here  we  spent  two  hours  riding  through  the  streets 
of  this  wonderful  town  —  a  town  of  but  a  few  brief 
years,  yet  now  with  all  the  appointments  of  an  old 
city  —  substantial  buildings,  fine  blocks  of  stores, 
street  railroads,  elegant  hotels,  etc.  We  rode  to  the 


13 

court-house  hill,  where  we  enjoyed  a  fine  view  of  the 
country.  Council  Bluffs  lying  at  the  foot  of  the  hills 
from  which  the  town  takes  its  name,  the  winding 
Missouri  for  miles  around  us,  the  swarming  town  and 
the  busy  levee,  met  the  vision. 

At  twelve  o'clock  we  were  driven  to  the  Wyo- 
ming House,  where  dinner  was  prepared  for  us.  While 
the  party  were  partaking  of  this  ample  repast,  G.  W. 
Frost,  Esq.,  who  had  acted  in  the  capacity  of  purchas- 
ing agent  for  the  Union  Pacific  road,  and  by  whose 
persevering  efforts  the  road  was  furnished  with  early 
supplies,  in  a  short  and  appropriate  speech  introduced 
the  councilmen  to  the  excursionists.  Mr.  E.  A.  Allen, 
president  of  the  city  council,  followed.  They  both 
extended  the  cordial  greeting  of  the  city  to  us  all, 
regretting  that  our  stay  was  to  be  so  short  and  our 
opportunities  for  seeing  so  limited.  Some  of  the  party 
expressing  the  wish  to  make  some  acknowledgment 
for  this  unexpected  reception,  Mr.  Allen  replied: 
"  Gentlemen,  the  train  leaves  at  12.20;  we  will  do  the 
talking;  we  expect  you  to  do  the  eating." 

It  would  be  difficult  to  exaggerate  the  courtesy,  the 
heartiness  of  our  reception  in  the  city  of  Omaha.  It 
was  as  gratifying  as  unexpected.  Long  flourish  Oma- 
ha and  her  generous  citizens. 

The  Union  Pacific  Railroad  Company,  to  whom,  in 
connection  with  the  Central  Pacific,  we  were  indebted 


for  the  grand  excursion  upon  which  we  were  about  to 
enter,  have  their  principal  offices  at  Omaha,  the  east- 
ern terminus  of  their  road.  Its  officers  and  offices  are 
as  follows  : 

OFFICES   AND    OFFICERS   OF   U.    P.    R.    R. 

OLIVER  AMES,  President,  Boston,  Mass. 
JOHN  DUFF,  Vice-President,     " 
J.  M.  S.  WILLIAMS,  Treas., 

E.  H.  ROLLINS,  Secretary, 

C.  G.  HAMMOND,  General  Superintendent,  Omaha,  Neb. 
C.  W.  MEAD,  Assistant  Gen'l  Superintendent, 
J.  R.  NICHOLS,  Assistant  Superintendent, 
S.  H.  H.  CLARK,  Supt.  Platte  Division, 

C.  H,  CHAPPEL,  Supt.  Lodge  Pole  Division,  Cheyenne,  W.  T. 
L.  FILLMORE,  Supt.  Laramie  &  Utah  Divs.,  Laramie,  W.  T. 
T.  E.  SICKLES,  Chief  Engineer. 

F.  COLTON,  General  Passenger  Agent,  Omaha,  Neb. 
B.  R.  KEIM,  Assistant  General  Passage  Agent, 
WM.  MARTIN,  General  Freight  Agent,  Omaha,  Neb. 
H.  BROWNSON,  Assistant  General  Freight  Agent. 
A.  S.  DOWNS,  Local  Treasurer. 

JOS.  W.  GANNETT,  Auditor. 

I.  H.  CONGDON,  Superintendent  Motive  Power. 

GEO.  E.  STEVENS,  Master  Car  Builder. 

D.  MARTIN,  Supt.  Bridge  Building  and  Water  Departments. 
T.  W.  COOKE,  General  Agent,  Ogden. 

J.  J.  DICKEY,  Supt.  Telegraph,  Omaha,  Neb. 
O.  F.  DAVIS,  Land  Commissioner. 

PRINCIPAL  OFFICES:    Railroad  Building,  Omaha,   Nebraska.      Sear's 
Building,  Boston,  Mass. 

The  Union  Pacific  road  comprises  the  Platte,  Lodge 
Pole,  Laramie,  and  Utah  Divisions. 


THE   START. 

After  leaving  our  hospitable  friends,  we  were  driven 
to  the  train,  which  was  to  convey  us  to  Ogden,  Utah 
Territory,  the  terminus  of  the  Union  Pacific.  Even  to 
railroad  men  that  train  was  a  pleasant  novelty.  It  was 


RAILROAD  LINE. 


OF  THK 

(General  g a»uget,  ®irfeet  and  Jreigltt 

OF  THE 

UNITED  STATES  AND  CANADAS. 


Omaha  to  San  Francisco  and  Return. 

Joriflr. 


T.  H.  GOODMAN, 

G.  V.  A.  C.  P.  R.  R. 


FRANS.  COLTON, 


Good  until  Sept.  15, '70,  Westward.  \  Good  until  Oct.  10/70,  Eastward. 

^M 


15 

truly,  as  Mr.  Colton,  the  passenger  agent  of  the  road, 
designated  it,  "  the  fancy  train."  It  consisted  of  five 
Pullman  palace  drawing-room  and  sleeping  cars,  one 
smoking  car  and  one  baggage  car.  Two  of  the  coaches 
were  new,  with  stationary  organs,  couches  and  easy 
chairs — and  all  of  them  palaces  of  luxury  and  comfort. 

In  these  splendid  residences,  on  wheels,  we  were 
soon  comfortably  housed.  Before  moving  off  on  the 
long  road  before  us,  a  ticket  was  handed  to  each  one 
of  the  party.  It  was  elegantly  gotten  up,  and  inclosed 
in  book  covers,  with  appropriate  superscriptions  on  its 
lids.  (See  fac  simile  of  ticket  on  opposite  page.) 

The  following  list  of  the  party  was  consummated  at 
San  Francisco,  most  of  whom  were  on  the  train  at 
Omaha.  A  few  joined  us  at  Denver,  Salt  Lake  City 
and  Ogden. 

LIST   OF   EXCURSIONISTS. 

Joseph  W.  Allen,  General  Ticket  Agent  W.  J.  and  C.  M.  and  M.  Rail- 
roads, Camden,  New  Jersey. 

W.  R.  Allen,  General  Ticket  Agent  Iron  Mountain  Railroad,  St.  Louis, 
Missouri. 

Chas.  H.  Abbott,  General  Freight  and  Ticket  Agent  Cincinnati  & 
Muskingum  Valley  R.  R.,  Zanesville,  Ohio. 

James  F.  Aglar,  General  Manager  Far  West  Fast  Freight  Line,  St. 
Louis. 

Mrs.  Jas.  F.  Aglar. 

John  N.  Bofinger,  President  St.  Louis  and  New  Orleans  Packet  Co., 
St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Mrs.  John  N.  Bofinger. 

Wm.  H.  Bryant,  General  Ticket  Agent  Rutland  and  Burlington  and 
Vermont  Valley  Railroad,  Rutland,  Vermont. 


i6 

E.   B.    Byington,    General   Ticket  Agent  Merchants'  Southern    Packet 

Line,  St.  Louis. 

Geo.  A.  Brown,  General  Ticket  Agent  Cheshire  Railroad,  Keene,  N.  H. 
H.  P.  Baldwin,  General  Passenger  Agent  Allentown  Line,  New  York. 
Mrs.  H.  P.  Baldwin. 
Mrs.  O.  L.  Baldwin. 
Mrs.  M.  E.  Barnes,  La  Porte,  Indiana. 

E.  A.  Brown,   General  Ticket  Agent  Boston,   Clinton    and  Fitchburg 

Railroad,  Fitchburg,  Mass. 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Brown. 
O.  E.  Britt,    General  Freight  Agent  Milwaukee  and  St.   Paul  R.  R., 

Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 
Mrs.  O.  E.  Britt,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 
Miss  Kate  E.  Britt,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 
James  C.  Boyden,  General  Freight  and  Ticket  Agent   Saint  Paul  and 

Sioux  City  Railroad,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 
W.  W.  Botkin,  Correspondent  Chicago  Times. 

F.  Chandler,  General  Ticket  Agent  St.  Louis,  Vandalia,  Terre   Haute 

and  Indianapolis  Railroad,  St.  Louis. 
Miss  M.  L.  Chandler,  Chicago. 
Mrs.  Henry  Crocker,  Memphis,  Tennessee. 
E.  J.  Cartledge,    St.  Louis  and  St.   Joseph  Railroad  General    Freight 

and  Ticket  Agent,  Saint  Joseph,  Missouri. 
Mrs.  E.  J.  Cartledge. 
D.  O.  Calder,  General  Freight  and  Ticket  Agent  Utah  Central  Railroad, 

Salt  Lake  City. 

Ann  H.  Calder,  Salt  Lake  City. 

W.  W.  Chandler,  Agent  Star  Union  Line,  Chicago,  Illinois. 
Mrs.  W.  W.  Chandler. 
Lewis  Carvell,  General  Superintendent  Government  Railways  in  New 

Brunswick,  St.  John,  New  Brunswick. 

George  Q.  Cannon,  Editor  Deseret  Evening  JVews,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 
Mrs.  George  Q.  Cannon  and  child. 
George  W.   Cobb,   Superintendent    Mineral   Point   Railroad,    Mineral 

Point,  Wisconsin. 
Mrs.  George  W.  Cobb. 
H.  H.  Courtright,  General  Freight  Agent  Hannibal  and  Saint  Joseph 

Railroad,  Hannibal,  Missouri. 
Mrs.  H.  H.  Courtright. 
John  T.  Caine,    Managing  Editor  Salt   Lake  Herald,  Salt  Lake  City, 

Utah. 
Mrs.  John  T.  Caine,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 


Geo.  A.  Dadmun.  General  Ticket  Agent  Philadelphia,  Wilmington  & 
Baltimore  R.  R.,  Philadelphia. 

Mrs.  George  A.  Dadmun. 

A.  C.  Davis,  General  Ticket  Agent  Belvidere,  Delaware  and  Fleming- 
ton  Railroad,  Lambertville,  N.  J. 

Miss  M.  L.  Everts,  Correspondent  Chicago  Evening  Journal,  Chicago. 

J.  G.  Everest,  South-east  Passenger  Agent  C.  &  N.  W.  Railway. 

Miss  Mary  Fisher,  Sister  of  the  Superintendent  Denver  Pacific  Rail- 
road, Denver.  Colorado. 

A.  H.  Fracker,  Master  of  Transportation  of  the  North   Pennsylvania 
Railroad,  Philadelphia. 

Mrs.  A.  H.  Fracker. 

Wm.  S.  Freeman,  Assistant  General  Freight  Agent  Camden  &  Amboy 
Railroad,  Philadelphia. 

Chas.  E.  Follett,  General  Passenger  and  Ticket  Agent  Ohio  and  Mis- 
sissippi  Railroad,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  Chas.  E.  Follett. 

John  B.  Fleming,  St.  Louis  Times,  St.  Louis. 

A.  A.  Folsom,  Superintendent  Boston  and  Providence  R.  R.,  Boston, 
Mass. 

Mrs.  A.  A.  Folsom. 

A.  B.  Garrison,  St.  Louis  and  Pacific  Express  Freight  Company  Gen- 
eral Freight  Agent,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

Jno.    H.  Grant,   President  Eng.  Atlantic   and  West    Point   Railroad, 
Atlanta,  Georgia. 

J.  W.  Gore,  General  Ticket  Agent  Camden  and  Amboy  Railroad,  Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania. 

Mrs.  J.  W.  Gore. 

P.  B.  Groat,  General.  Ticket  Agent  Hannibal  and  St.  Joseph  Railroad, 
Hannibal,  Missouri. 

L.  P.  Grant,  Superintendent  A.  and  W.  P.  Railroad,  Atlanta,  Georgia. 

Charles  S.  Gauntt,  Master  Trans.  Camden   and  Amboy   Railroad,  Bur- 
lington, New  Jersey. 

C.  G.  Hancock,  General  Ticket  Agent  Philadelphia  and  Rdg.  Company, 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 

Amos  T.  Hall,   Treasurer  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy  Railroad, 
Chicago. 

Mrs.  Amos  T.  Hall  and  two  sons. 

A.  B.  Hull,   General  Freight  Agent  Danbury  and  Norwalk   Railroad, 
Danbury,  Connecticut. 

Mrs.  A.  B.  Hull. 


i8 

John  Hinton,  General  Freight  Agent  L.  &  B.  R.  R.,  Kingston,  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Mrs.  John  Hinton. 

W.  F.  Holwill,  General  Ticket  Agent  Delaware,  Lackawanna  and  West- 
ern Railroad,  New  York. 

Starr  S.Jones,  Bt.  Agent  Morgan  Line  and  Mobile  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
Galveston,  Texas. 

E.  St.  John,  General  Ticket  Agent  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pacific 

Railroad,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  E.  St.  John. 

Thos.  L.  Kimball,  General  Western  Passenger  Agent  Pennsylvania 
Central  Railroad,  Chicago. 

Beverley  R.  Keim,  Assistant  General  Passenger  Agent  Union  Pacific 
Railroad,  Omaha. 

Mrs.  Beverly  R.  Keim. 

Frank  A.  Mackenzie,  Passenger  Agent  General  Transatlantic  Com- 
pany, New  York  city. 

F.  R.  Myers,  General   Passenger  and  Ticket  Agent  Pittsburgh,  Fort 

Wayne  and  Chicago  Railway,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  F.  R.  Myers. 

John  McMillan,  European  &  N.  A.  Ry.,  St.  John,  New  Brunswick. 

A.  J.  Mead,  General  Freight  and  Ticket  Agent,  Winona  and  St.  Peter 
Railroad,  Winona,  Minnesota. 

Miss  M.  E.  Mead,  with  the  above,  Genesee,  Illinois. 

M.  Mills,  General  Freight  Agent  West  Jersey  Railroad,  Camden,  N.  J. 

D.  A.  McKinlay,  General  Ticket  Agent  Dubuque  South-western  Rail- 
road, Dubuque,  Iowa. 

Mrs.  D.  A.  McKinlay. 

Mrs.  Mayall,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

Loyal  S.  Nye,  President  Nye  Forwarding  Company,  Denver,  Colorado. 

Mrs.  L.  S.  Nye. 

George  Olds,  General  Ticket  Agent  Kansas  City,  St.  Joseph  &  C.  B. 
R.  R.,  St.  Joseph,  Missouri. 

Mrs.  George  Olds. 

C.  P.  Oakley,  General  Ticket  and  Freight  Agent  Mississippi  and  Ten- 
nessee Railroad,  Memphis,  Tennessee. 

Mrs.  C.  P.  Oakley. 

Master  Walter  D.  Oakley,  Memphis,  Tennessee. 

Samuel  Powell,  General  Ticket  Agent  Chicago,  Burlington  and  Quincy 
Railroad,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Mrs.  Samuel  Powell. 


19 

John  U.  Parsons,  General  Ticket  Agent  Toledo,  Wabash  and  Western 
Railroad,  Toledo,  Ohio. 

Mrs.  John  U.  Parsons. 

Fred.  W.  Rankin,  Secretary  of  the  New  Jersey  Railroad  and  Transpor- 
tation Company,  New  York  city. 

Mrs.  Fred.  W.  Rankin. 

J.  Roberts,  of  General  Freight  Department  Belvidere,  Delaware  and 
Flemington  Railroad,  Lambertville,  New  Jersey. 

Wm.  Rhodes,  General  Freight  and  Ticket  Agent  North-western  Union 
Packet  Company,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

Mrs.  Wm.  Rhodes. 

Justus  E.  Ralph,  General  Ticket  Agent  New  Jersey  Southern  Railroad, 
Red  Bank,  New  Jersey. 

Miss  Gussie  Shewell,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

H.  P.  Stanwood,  General  Ticket  Agent  Chicago  and  North-western 
Railway,  Chicago. 

Mrs.  H.  P.  Stanwood. 

Jno.  Shaw,  Traveling  Agent  Inman  Steamship  Company,  New  York. 

C.  A.  Savage,  President  Quincy,  Missouri  and  Pacific  Railroad,  Quincy, 
Illinois. 

Mrs.  C.  A.  Savage. 

Henry  Starring,  General  Baggage  Agent  Pittsburg  to  San  Francisco. 

L.  M.  E.  Stone,  Superintendent  P.  W.  &  B.  R.  R.,  Providence,  Rhode 
Island. 

Mrs.  L.  M.  E.  Stone. 

E.  S.  Tracy,  General  Freight  Agent  Chicago,  Cincinnati  and  Louisville 
Railroad,  La  Porte,  Indiana. 

Morris  E.  Ward,  correspondent,  Denver,  Colorado. 

Miss  K.  Wheedon,  St.  Louis,  Missouri. 

George  S.  Wright,  General  Ticket  Agent  Worcester  and  Nashua  Rail- 
road, Worcester,  Massachusetts. 

J.  M.  Williams,  General  Freight  Agent  Worcester  and  Nashua  Rail- 
road, Worcester,  Massachusetts. 

Thos.  A.  Weed,  Scottsville,  New  York. 

Wm.  H.  Weed,  General  Ticket  Agent  New  York  and  Oswego  Midland 
Railroad,  Oswego,  New  York. 

E.  N.  Winslow,  Superintendent  and  Treasurer  Cape  Cod  Railroad, 
Hyams,  Massachusetts. 

Mrs.  E.  N.  Winslow. 


20 

Having  been  assigned  our  respective  places  in  "  the 
fancy  train,"  on  we  moved,  and  the  continental  trip 
was  fully  initiated. 

As  we  slowly  ascended  the  bluffs  of  the  Missouri, 
and  began  to  look  out  on  the  vast  prairie  that  sweeps 
up  to  its  shore,  we  were  silent,  thoughtful,  meditative. 
Soon  from  the  windows  of  our  palace  homes  there 
stretched  before  us  and  around  us,  an  ocean  of  land  — 
nothing  but  the  curve  of  the  earth  itself  obstructed  the 
vision  —  not  a  hill,  shrub  or  tree  met  the  eye.  There 
was  almost  an  ominous  stillness  over  that  vast  plain ; 
only  the  low  rumbling  of  our  train,  as  it  sped,  arrow- 
like,  over  its  bosom,  broke  the  silence.  At  times,  in  a 
kind  of  soliloquy,  you  would  hear  the  exclamation, 
"  How  grand  ! "  "  How  beautiful !  " 

PLATTE    RIVER. 

Soon  we  reach  a  "  station  "  like  a  stopping  place 
mid-ocean  —  an  acre-island  in  the  Atlantic.  We  take 
in  fuel  and  water,  and  speed  on.  Then  it  is  announced 
that  the  far-famed  Platte  river  is  in  view  on  our  left ; 
all  rush  to  the  windows  to  get  a  sight  of  a  stream 
of  which  we  had  heard  and  read  so  much.  What  a 
relief  to  the  eye  was  its  placid  waters,  and  the  few 
cotton  woods  that  skirted  its  banks.  Then,  as  we 
ran  along  its  shore  for  hundreds  of  miles,  there  came 
to  our  minds  the  scenes  that  had  been  enacted  so 


21 

recently  on  its  banks  —  the  emigrant  trains  that  had 
sunk  in  its  treacherous  fords  —  the  Indian  butcheries 
by  its  side  —  the  vast  herds  of  buffaloes  and  horses 
which  had  roamed  from  its  mysterious  sources,  in  the 
fastnesses  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  to  where  it  mingled 
its  waters  with  those  of  the  turbid  Missouri.  We 
never  got  wearied  in  those  hundreds  of  miles  of  looking 
at  its  waters,  and  following  its  track  by  the  low  shrub- 
bery on  its  banks. 

Night  came  upon  us,  shutting  us  up  to  ourselves. 
We  had  been  thrown  together,  mostly  strangers  to 
each  other,  hailing  from  nearly  every  state  of  the 
Union,  and  the  Canadas.  The  usual  stiffness  and 
unsociableness  characterizing  such  circumstances  soon 
began  to  give  way.  We  were  to  be  the  companions 
of  weeks,  and  sought  early  to  know  and  fellowship 
each  other.  Before  the  retirement  that  first  evening, 
much  had  been  done  to  make  us  one  family,  with  the 
usual  cousins,  uncles  and  aunts.  We  closed  our  eyes 
in  sleep,  on  that  first  night,  with  the  comfortable  feel- 
ing, that  we  had  a  propitious  beginning  and  a  joyful 
prospect  before  us. 

The  morning  broke  upon  us  beautiful  and  inspiring. 
All  had  been  refreshed  by  sleep  undisturbed.  So 
smooth  was  the  iron  track,  and  so  comfortable  our 
couches,  that  we  scarcely  realized  our  absence  from  our 
accustomed  places  of  sleep. 


22 

Still  all  around  us  were  the  trackless  plains.  Occa- 
sionally we  discovered  in  the  distance  highlands  or 
bluffs.  Now,  too,  we  began  to  see  a  few  wild  animals, 
for  which  we  had  been  straining  our  eyes  ever  since 
leaving  Omaha.  Now  and  then  a  few  antelopes  could 
be  seen,  literally  "dusting"  to  clear  the  terrible  loco- 
motive and  the  less  terrible  "  shooting-irons  "  of  the 
party.  Scarcely  one  was  passed  that  did  not  receive 
the  compliment  of  a  dozen  or  more  pistol  shots.  At 
first  this  shooting  at  the  poor  innocents  was  considered 
by  the  ladies  and  the  older  gentlemen  of  the  party  as 
cruelty  in  the  extreme.  But  all  soon  learned  to  spend 
no  sympathy  on  the  antelope,  as  from  Omaha  to  San 
Francisco  and  back,  not  one  was  hit,  or  seemingly 
disturbed  by  the  bullets  hurled  at  them.  We  learned 
this  fact,  that  whatever  else  railroad  men  could  do, 
they  could  not  shoot.  And  we  here  offer  this  admo- 
nition to  them,  never  to  become  involved  in  an  affair 
of  honor,  where  shooting  may  be  the  sequel. 

During  the  day  we  passed  what  was  called  "  Prairie 
Dog  City."  Here,  for  miles  beside  the  track,  we  saw 
the  holes  of  these  "dogs."  On  the  approach  of  the 
train  they  would  come  out  and  sit  at  the  mouth  of  their 
holes,  and  look  with  a  sort  of  inquiring  wonder  at  the 
passing  train.  One  of  our  number,  a  near-sighted 
gentleman,  exhibited  a  great  anxiety  to  see  these 
"dogs,"  but  was  unable.  We  assured  him  that  the 


23 

failure  was  not  afflictive,  as  he  had  only  to  imagine  a 
magnified  gutter  rat,  of  the  dirtiest  hue,  and  he  had 
the  "  prairie  dog."  We  were  told  that  the  Indians 
used  to  subsist  almost  entirely  on  these  animals  when 
grasshoppers  became  scarce.  Individually  we  should 
prefer  the  grasshoppers  for  a  " steady  diet." 

CHEYENNE. 

After  passing  many  places  of  interest,  and  scenery 
attractive  and  beautiful,  we  reach  Cheyenne,  the  capi- 
tal of  Wyoming  territory,  and  the  largest'  town  out  of 
Omaha  on  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  five  hundred 
and  sixteen  miles  from  the  Missouri  river.  Here  we 
found  a  city  with  its  bustle  and  business,  and  here  we 
had  a  capital  dinner,  and  availed  ourselves  of  the 
generous  privilege  tendered  us  by  the  Western  Union 
and  Atlantic  and  Pacific  Telegraph  Companies  of  send- 
ing communications  free  to  our  friends.  In  this  town 
are  extensive  shops  of  the  railroad  company  ;  a  round- 
house and  machine  and  repair  shops,  substantial  build- 
ings of  stone. 

DENVER. 

Here,  too,  is  the  junction  of  the  Denver  Pacific 
road  with  the  Union  Pacific.  At  the  request  of  the 
officers  of  the  former  our  train  was  transferred  to  their 
road,  and  the  party  taken  to  Denver,  the  capital  of 
Colorado,  where  we  arrived  at  4  P.  M.  on  Wednesday. 


24 

The  country  through  which  we  passed  on  our  excur- 
sion into  Colorado  was  a  little  more  diversified,  but 
mostly  a  vast  plain,  inhabited  by  the  antelope,  wolf, 
and  prairie  dog.  Some  of  the  way  our  road  ran 
along  in  sight  of  the  south  fork  of  the  Platte  river,  its 
course  marked  by  the  only  shrubbery  or  green  vegeta- 
tion in  the  whole  sweep  of  the  eye.  This  fork  of  the 
Platte  has  its  sources  in  the  eastern,  as  the  north 
fork  has  its  in  the  western,  slope  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains. Each  of  them  pursues  a  generaly  north-east 
course  for  about  three  hundred  miles,  and  then 
turns  to  the  eastward,  uniting  some  three  hundred 
miles  eastward  of  the  mountains,  where  the  plains 
melt  into  the  prairies.  Between  these  two  rivers  and 
the  eastern  base  of  the  mountains,  there  is  formed  an 
immense  triangle,  upon  which,  in  common  with  our 
present  territories  and  the  states  of  Nevada  and  Cali- 
fornia, no  rain  falls  between  April  and  November,  yet 
from  the  facilities  for  irrigation  from  the  Platte  and  its 
tributaries,  the  depth  and  richness  of  the  soil,  it  will 
no  doubt,  at  an  early  day,  be  ranked  among  the  finest 
agricultural  portions  of  our  country. 

Half  way  between  Cheyenne  and  Denver  is  the 
town  of  Greeley,  named  after  the  far-famed  Horace. 
Here,  under  the  lead  of  Mr.  Meeker,  the  founder  of 
the  colony,  a  village  has  sprung  up  since  April  last 
of  some  five  hundred  inhabitants.  Our  party  spent 


25 

an  hour  in  rambling  about  this  mushroom  place. 
The  inhabitants  seemed  a  little  homesick,  and  ap- 
parently relished  our  raid  among  them.  Mr.  Meeker 
told  us  that  they  were  "  probably  on  the  best  piece 
of  land  in  the  United  States."  He  had  had  before 
him  the  American  continent,  and  this  was  the  spot 
above  all  other  ;  and  so  taking  leave  of  Greeley 
we  took  the  train  and  moved  on  toward  Denver. 

Soon  the  Rocky  Mountains  appeared  in  the  dis- 
tance, some  fifty  miles  away  to  our  right.  This,  to 
some  of  us,  was  our  first  sight  of  mountains.  As 
seen  in  the  misty  distance,  lying  along  the  horizon, 
with  their  irregular  peaks  or  hommocks  touching  the 
skies,  we  could  think  of  nothing  but  a  vast  caravan 
of  gigantic  dromedaries  lying  down  for  the  repose  of 
night.  As  we  approached  Denver  we  were  within 
fifteen  miles  of  the  foot  hills  of  the  mountains.  While 
in  that  city  we  caught  a  view  of  the  noted  Pike's 
Peak,  sixty-five  miles  south  of  us. 

At  Denver  we  partook  of  a  good  dinner  at  the 
American  House  —  and  then  "did  up  the  city." 
As  we  walked  around  the  place  with  one  of  the 
citizens,  he  gave  us  many  reminiscenses  of  the 
early  history  of  the  town,  its  gambling  dens,  the 
desperate  encounters  of  the  early  miners,  the  mur- 
ders, etc.  Occasionally  he  would  point  to  a  bridge- 
post,  or  an  old  stub  of  cotton-wood  and  tell  us  that 


26 

they  were  favorite  hanging  places,  in  the  olden  times, 
(i.  e.  eight  years  ago) ;  we  felt  a  slight  uneasiness,  and 
a  few  chills,  but  said  nothing.  Here  is  now  a  city 
of  io,OOO  inhabitants,  well  laid  out  streets,  fine  blocks 
of  stores,  well  appointed  hotels,  and  all  the  stir  and 
activity  which  so  characterize  western  towns.  The 
country  around  is  open  and  rolling.  A  few  miles  to 
the  west,  and  the  Rocky  Mountains  raise  their  tow- 
ering peaks.  Denver  can  be  said  to  lie  at  the  foot 
of  these  mountains.  To  the  east  stretches  the  vast 
plain,  without  a  break,  six  hundred  miles  to  the 
Missouri  river. 

While  in  Denver,  Col.  T.  J.  Carter,  President  of 
the  Colorado  Central  Road,  invited  the  party  to  take 
a  trip  on  his  road,  as  far  as  completed.  About 
twenty  accepted  the  invitation,  and  went  as  far  as 
the  rails  were  laid,  where  they  were  met  by  almost 
the  entire  population  of  Golden  City,  who  loudly 
cheered  and  welcomed  them  as  being  on  the  train 
which  had  first  passed  over  their  road. 

A  few  of  the  party,  who  remained  in  Denver,  in- 
dulged in  a  dance  at  the  American,  which,  judging 
from  the  price  paid  for  this  luxury,  was  considered 
a  clincher  on  the  old  adage  —  "  he  who  dances  must 
pay  the  fiddler." 

At  midnight,  we  left  the  capital  of  Colorado  for 
Cheyenne,  having  added  to  our  number  the  genial 


27 

L.  S.  Nye  and  his  amiable  wife;  also,  the  companion- 
able and  very  acceptable  Morris  E.  Ward,  Esq.,  citizens 
of  Denver. 

ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 

When  we  awoke  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  we 
had  ascended  the  Rocky  Mountains.  As  we  stepped 
out  at  Sherman,  8,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea, 
there  was  a  frosty  crispness  about  the  air.  We  gath- 
ered our  outer  garments  closely  around  us,  and  ran 
about  the  place,  enjoying  hugely  the  rarefied  but  inspir- 
iting atmosphere.  Here,  at  this  elevation,  we  had  a 
grand  view  of  the  surrounding  country  :  75  miles  to  the 
south,  Long's  Peak  towered  above  its  fellows;  165  miles 
away  is  Pike's  Peak,  both  visible  to  the  unaided  eye,  or 
at  least  so  we  were  told,  and  so  read  in  the  guide-book. 
We  are  confident  that  we  saw  them,  for  we  distinctly 
saw  the  man  and  the  book  that  told  us  we  did. 

Soon  we  were  at  Laramie,  having  passed,  after  leav- 
ing Sherman,  many  places  of  interest,  among  them  the 
noted  Dale  Creek  bridge,  650  feet  long  and  126  feet 
high.  At  Laramie  we  partook  of  a  most  excellent 
breakfast,  at  as  well  kept  a  hotel  as  can  be  found  on  the 
line  of  any  eastern  road.  Here  we  should  have  been 
glad  to  have  spent  a  week.  It  was  the  most  liveable 
place  we  had  met  since  leaving  the  Missouri. 

After  a  ramble  of  an  hour  about  this  home-like  town, 
the  train  moved  on  across  the  Laramie  plains,  said  to 


28 

be  the  finest  pasturage  ground  on  the  continent.  Elk 
mountain,  seen  from  Laramie,  was  in  sight  for  hun- 
dreds of  miles  in  this  passage  over  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tain range.  It  was,  with  its  rugged  sides  and  snow- 
capped summit,  a  conspicuous  landmark. 

Among  us  there  were  some  genuine  lovers  of  nature, 
those  who  could  take  in  a  scene  of  grandeur  and  sub- 
limity. In  this  passage,  through  the  gorges  and  over 
the  plains  of  the  500  miles  of  the  Rocky  Mountain 
elevation,  all  such  had  a  rare  treat. 

THE    INSIDE    OF   THE   TRAIN. 

And  this  leads  us  to  take  a  view  of  the  inside  of  the 
train.  We  had  the  usual  make  up  of  a  country  vil- 
lage, the  different  characters  of  a  well-ordered  commu- 
nity ;  so  that  we  were  not  dependent  for  pleasure  and 
enjoyment  alone  on  the  moving  panorama  outside  of 
our  wheeled  home.  When  night  shut  in  upon  us,  we 
had  our  enjoyments,  our  calls  from  car  to  car,  our  little 
circles  where  we  talked  over  subjects  grave  and  comi- 
cal. Choirs  were  extemporized,  and  better  singing  we 
have  rarely  heard.  All  the  variety  of  cultivated  mind 
was  with  us,  which  made  the  excursion  one  continued 
enjoyable  picnic.  Not  for  a  day,  or  even  an  hour,  did 
time  drag  heavily  upon  our  hands.  There  were  the 
shrewd,  comical,  discriminating  and  companionable 
Chandler,  Boyden,  Powell,  St.  John,  Hinton,  Court- 


29 

right,  Aglar,  etc.  There  were  the  matter-of-fact  and 
genial  Hull,  Brown,  Cobb,  Dadman,  Davis,  Myers, 
Mead,  Folsom,  etc.  Then  there  were  the  grave,  dig- 
nified and  quietly  shrewd  Savage,  Follett,  Carvell,  Stan- 
wood,  Rankin,  Stone,  Freeman,  etc.  For  a  marvel, 
there  was  not  a  single  wiseacre  aboard. 

But  the  excursion  would  have  been  greatly  deficient 
without  the  presence  of  the  ladies.  A  more  genial, 
intelligent  company  of  ladies  were  never  brought 
together  on  an  excursion.  They  made  those  palace 
cars  splendid  homes,  with  all  the  pleasures  and  refine- 
ments of  the  best  fireside. 

Let  no  man  make  this  great  continental  trip  without 
his  wife  or  lady  friend.  Some  of  us,  in  thoughtlessness 
or  otherwise,  left  ours  at  home.  It  was  an  oversight  — 
a  mistake ;  and  were  it  not  that  others  of  our  party 
had  been  more  thoughtful  and  wise,  much  of  our  pleas- 
ure would  have  been  wanting.  The  journey  is  too  vast, 
the  scenery  is  too  varied,  to  be  enjoyed  fully,  without 
such  genial  influences.  And  then,  too,  an  intelligent 
lady  is  a  greater  admirer  of  nature,  has  a  keener  dis- 
crimination, and  can  point  out  more  readily  than  man 
the  sublimities,  grandeur  and  beauties  of  passing 
scenes. 

And  now  with  such  a  company  of  ladies,  fertile  in 
expedients  to  make  every  hour  contribute  its  pleasure, 
we  had,  to  round  out  the  whole,  Beverley  R.  Keim,  the 


30 

assistant  passenger  agent  of  the  Union  Pacific,  watch- 
ing over  our  comfort  with  unceasing  diligence,  antici- 
pating our  every  want,  and  supplying  them  before  we 
had  imagined  them.  He  ever  presented  a  cheerful, 
sunny  face.  Quick  in  perception,  prompt  in  action,  he 
was  a  sine  qua  non,  which,  liberally  rendered,  means  an 
indispensable.  In  all  his  efforts  for  our  comfort  and 
pleasure,  he  was  warmly  seconded  by  his  amiable  wife, 
who  accompanied  us  in  this  journey. 

While  crossing  the  mountain  ranges,  through  the 
kindness  of  the  conductors  and  engineers,  many  of  us 
enjoyed  the  privilege  of  riding  on  the  engine,  which,  in 
that  region  of  plains,  gorges  and  canons,  was  a  rare 
treat.  It  was  the  place  to  take  in  the  whole  scene,  in 
its  picturesque  beauty  and  awful  grandeur.  Never 
shall  we  forget  the  ride  upon  the  engine  in  the  Rocky 
and  Sierra  ranges.  Now  coursing  like  a  bird  over  table 
lands — now  suddenly  dashing  through  a  canon  between 
lofty  ledges  of  rocks  and  mountain  sides  —  then  sud- 
denly enveloped  in  the  darkness  of  a  tunnel  —  stunned 
by  the  roar  of  the  train,  pent  up  by  its  narrow  sides — 
such  a  ride  was  worth,  alone,  a  trip  across  the  continent. 
And  none  of  our  party  enjoyed  it  more  appreciatingly 
than  many  of  the  ladies.  So  firmly  bedded  was  the 
track,  so  powerful  and  perfect  the  engines,  that  our 
confidence  was  soon  secured  and  all  fear  banished,  no 
emotion  being  elicted  but  that  of  awed  pleasure. 


At  Carbon  we  make  a  stop.  Much  interest  was 
manifested  by  all  in  examining  the  coal  mines  at  this 
point,  several  of  the  company  descending  the  shaft  and 
viewing  this  valuable  and  indispensable  article  in  its 
native  state.  This  mine  of  coal,  of  valuable  quality 
and  inexhaustible  in  quantity,  must  be  of  immense 
importance  to  the  railroad  company  and  to  the  in- 
habitants on  its  line. 


FORT   FRED.    STEELE. 

After  passing  through  some  wild  and  weird 
scenery,  resembling  the  ruins  of  a  great  city  or 
abandoned  massive  fortifications,  the  train  brought 
up  suddenly  at  Fort  Steele,  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant military  posts  on  the  Pacific  road.  The  rail- 
road skirts  one  side,  and  the  North  Platte  the  rear, 
of  this  really  beautiful  spot.  Naturally  a  wild  and 
rough  place,  it  has  been  rendered  attractive  by  the 
industry  and  good  taste  of  the  companies  stationed 
here.  The  party  alighted  and  walked  about  the 
grounds,  visiting  the  quarters  of  the  soldiers  and 
calling  on  the  officers. 

The  colonel  in  command,  a  celebrated  Indian 
fighter,  showed  us  through  his  quarters,  filled  with 
the  spoils  of  his  contests  with  the  red  men.  He 
gave  us,  in  detail,  the  mode  of  Indian  warfare  — 


32 

their  manner  of  approach  and  attack,  and  the  tac- 
tics most  successful  in  meeting  them. 

Upon  the  walls  around  us  hung  the  weapons  of 
Indian  warfare  and  torture.  The  full  dress  of  a 
chief,  a  trophy  of  the  gallant  colonel,  was  trans- 
ferred from  the  wall  to  one  of  our  party,  a  large 
and  powerfully  built  man.  The  disguise  was  almost 
perfect.  Thus  equipped,  he  set  forth  with  a  whoop 
and  a  ugh,  and  made  the  tour  of  the  grounds,  to 
the  astonishment  and  consternation  of  many  of  the 
party,  not  aware  of  the  disguise.  His  shrewd  wife, 
however,  soon  detected  the  cheat,  not  by  the  ears, 
as  of  old,  in  the  fable,  but  by  the  formidable  mus- 
tache of  her  lord.  ,  She  promptly  proclaimed  the 
imposition,  and  thus  vanished  the  painful  illusion, 
and  the  thoughts  of  rent  chignons  and  lost  scalps. 

An  hour  was  delightfully  spent  in  this  interesting 
station.  Thanks  to  the  colonel  for  that  pleasant  time 
at  Fort  Steele. 

EVENING   PLEASURES. 

Night  comes  upon  us  while  gradually  descending  to 
the  valley  of  the  Salt  Lake.  The  scenes  without  are 
shut  in  by  impenetrable  darkness,  but  all  is  light  and 
cheerful  within  our  rushing  train.  Here  and  there,  in 
gathered  circles,  we  hear  the"  ringing  laugh,  the  result 
of  a  well-told  anecdote  or  the  pertness  of  a  well-put 


33 

repartee,  or  the  sharp  solution  of  a  difficult  conun- 
drum. In  one  corner,  comfortably  reclining  on  sofas, 
is  a  party  of  gentlemen  in  the  afternoon  of  life,  talking 
up  railroads  generally,  and  the  Pacific  roads  in  particu- 
lar. In  another  car  all  have  resolved  themselves  into 
a  singing-school,  and  are  discoursing  agreeable  music. 

And  then,  when  conversation  begins  to  lag  and  the 
singers  grow  hoarse — the  porters  about  to  prepare  our 
sleeping  apartments — here  comes  the  "excursion 
band,"  under  the  lead  of  Mr.  Starring.  The  instru- 
ments are  of  the  most  simple  class — the  violin,  fife, 
flute,  tambourine  and  bones — instruments  hastily  gath- 
ered at  Omaha,  form  the  equipment  of  this  unique 
band.  Thorough  rehearsals  were  had  during  the  day 
in  the  baggage  car.  Passing  through  each  car,  with 
measured  tread,  and  discoursing  timely  music,  each 
night,  this  never-to-be-forgotten  band  put  us  all  in  the 
best  of  humor  for  our  night's  repose. 

At  the  break  of  day  the  porter  arouses  us  with  the 
welcome  information  that  in  half  an  hour  we  shall 
reach  our  breakfast  station,  where  brook  trout  will  form 
the  staple  of  the  meal.  All  is  astir  instantly  in  the 
cars.  At  the  station  we  make  a  rush,  fearing  the  trout 
will  not  "  go  round;"  but  our  fears  are  soon  quieted 
by  the  sight  of  the  long  tables  laden  with  these  deli- 
cious fish  in  superabundance.  On  leaving  that  station, 
pricking  our  teeth,  we  said,  "That  was  not  a  very 
5 


34 

bad  breakfast — that  Green  river  trout  breakfast — not 
very." 

ECHO   AND   WEBER   CANONS. 

Pushing  on  westward,  we  soon  enter  the  famous 
canons  leading  into  the  valley  of  Great  Salt  Lake. 
Here  the  scenery  was  absorbing,  grand  and  sub- 
lime. Echo  and  Weber  canons,  gorges  cut  in  the 
mountains  by  the  Weber  river,  cannot  be  described 
in  words ;  seated  in  the  observation  car,  the  eye 
alone  can  measure  the  sublimity.  The  river,  along 
which  our  road  lay,  flows  with  a  rapid  current  over 
a  bed  of  water-worn  stones  and  fallen  rocks  of  all 
sizes,  from  pebbles  to  immense  blocks  of  the  adja- 
cent mountain.  At  some  points  the  precipitous 
sides  of  this  passage  become  almost  vertical.  The 
mountains  rise,  we  judge,  from  1,500  to  2,500  feet 
above  the  river,  and  are  separated  at  the  base  by 
different  widths,  in  which  the  river  winds  from  side 
to  side,  frequently  impinging  against  the  base  of  the 
mountains.  Down  through  this  awful  gulf  our  train 
moved  swiftly  and  smoothly ;  while  we  were  en- 
tranced by  the  granduer  and  sublimity  of  the  scene 
passing  like  a  swiftly  unrolling  panorama  before  us. 

Besides  the  absorbing  scene  around  us,  our  thoughts 
reverted  to  the  thrilling  adventures  which  had  trans- 
pired in  this  now  celebrated  passage.  How  here 
many  an  emigrant  had  met  in  deadly  encounter" 


35 

the  savages — how  here,  the  Mormons  had  piled  up 
rocks  to  roll  down  upon  Johnston's  army,  should  it 
attempt  this  passage  into  their  valley.  Here  we 
remembered  the  thrilling  incident  related  by  a  Utah 
Indian,  characteristic  of  the  nerve  and  war  habits  of 
his  race.  He  was  threading  this  pass  at  midnight, 
accompanied  by  his  squaw  only,  both  mounted  upon 
the  same  horse,  and  the  night  so  dark  that  he  could 
neither  see  the  outlines  of  the  mountains,  nor  the 
ground  at  his  horse's  feet,  when  he  heard  a  sound 
so  slight  as  scarcely  to  be  perceptible  to  an  Indian's 
ear,  of  an  arrow  carried  in  the  hand,  striking  once 
only  with  a  slight  tick  against  the  bow.  Stopping, 
he  could  hear  nothing,  but  instantly  dismounted, 
his  squaw  leaning  upon  the  horse  that  she  might 
by  no  possibility  be  seen,  and  placed  his  ear  to 
the  ground,  when  he  heard  the  same  sound  re- 
peated but  a  few  feet  distant,  and  was,  therefore, 
satisfied,  that,  however  imminent  the  danger,  he  had 
not  yet  been  heard  or  seen,  for  no  Indian  would 
make  such  a  noise  at  night  in  approaching  his  foe ; 
he  therefore  instantly  arose,  and  took  his  horse  by 
the  bridle  close  to  its  mouth  to  lessen  the  chances 
of  his  moving  or  whinnying,  and  one  hundred  and 
seventy  of  his  deadly  enemies,  the  Sioux,  on  a  war 
party,  filed  past  him  within  almost  arm's  reach,  while 
he  remained  unobserved. 


36 

Emerging  suddenly  into  the  valley  of  Utah,  we 
are  surrounded  on  every  side  by  the  pasturage 
grounds  of  the  Mormons.  At  noon  on  Friday  we  are 
at  Ogden,  the  terminus  of  the  Union  Pacific  and  the 
junction  of  the  Central  Pacific  and  Utah  Central  roads. 

Here  the  party  were  received  by  the  officers  of 
the  Central  Pacific.  After  an  interchange  of  con- 
gratulations and  introductions,  our  train  was  switched 
on  to  the  Utah  Central,  and  we  were  on  our  way 
to  the  "  city  of  the  saints." 

For  a  while  our  course  was  near  the  east  shore  of 
the  famous  Salt  Lake,  which,  of  course,  attracted  the 
attention  of  all  —  a  lake,  20  by  140  miles,  containing 
seven  islands,  all  of  rugged  mountains,  and  its  surface 
4,200  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

SALT   LAKE    CITY. 

Soon  the  train  rounded  its  head  and  was  moving  into 
the  city  of  the  prophet;  all  rushed  to  the  windows  and 
the  platforms  to  catch  a  view  of  the  far-famed  place. 
Equally  anxious,  apparently,  were  the  inhabitants  to 
see  the  "fancy  train,"  whose  arrival  had  been  announced. 
The  streets  were  filled  —  door-yards  and  fences  were 
covered  with  children.  One  irreverent  fellow,  sitting 
beside  us,  involuntarily  cried  out,  "  Jerusalem  !  see  the 
young  ones."  We  nudged  him,  and  suggested  that  we 
were  the  guests  of  the  city,  and  should  utter  nothing 


37 

suggestive  of  disapprobation ;  he  promised  to  restrain 
himself.  Carriages  were  at  the  depot  to  convey  us  to 
the  hotel.  President  Young  being  absent  from  the 
city,  and  the  next  in  authority,  Joseph  Young,  being 
sick,  we  had  no  public  reception.  But  while  partaking 
of  a  most  excellent  dinner  at  the  Townsend  House,  a 
message  of  welcome  was  received,  and  guides  furnished 
to  show  us  all  places  of  interest  about  the  city.  Thus 
guided,  the  party  visited  the  tabernacle,  city  hall, 
museum,  theater,  etc.  We  found  the  city  orderly,  neat 
and  beautiful.  Industry  and  good  taste  were  exhibited 
in  all  that  met  the  eye.  For  location  and  surroundings 
we  doubt  whether,  in  beauty  and  grandeur,  it  has  its 
equal  in  the  United  States.  All  fully  realized  the  de- 
scription given  by  a  recent  traveler,  who,  standing  a 
little  to  the  west  of  the  city,  says :  "  Behind  us  were  the 
great  Salt  Lake  and  the  greater  mountains.  On  our 
right  was  the  shining  Jordan.  Beyond  it  was  a  strip 
of  valley,  then  smooth  mountain  slopes,  blending  and 
intermingling,  sea-green  at  the  base  and  dark  slate 
toward  the  summits.  Before  us  was  the  city,  with  its 
flashing  streams,  its  low,  drab,  adobe  houses,  with  trel- 
lised  verandas  ;  its  green  gardens  and  deep  shade-trees 
of  locust,  aspen,  poplar,  maple,  walnut,  elder  and 
cotton  wood ;  its  bustling  marts  of  trade  and  cloistered 
retreats  for  the  offices  of  a  strange  religion. 


38 

"  Beyond  it,  for  many  miles,  stretched  the  green, 
flowery  valley,  with  its  blue  lakes  shimmering  in  the 
sun,  and  bounded  at  last  by  an  abrupt  wall  of  moun- 
tain. On  our  left  still  towered  the  range,  rough  and 
jagged  with  crevices  ;  its  solid  base  green  and  gray ; 
its  rugged  summits  white  with  eternal  snow.  Side  by 
side,  grouped  and  blended,  were  summer  and  winter, 
Italy  and  Switzerland ;  the  dreamy  orient  and  the 
restless  heart  of  the  west." 

Such  is  Salt  Lake  city  and  its  environs.  We  would 
have  gladly  spent  days  in  this  favored  place  of  nature. 
But  after  treading  its  streets,  visiting  its  shops, 
stores,  museums,  theater,  city  hall,  and  standing  upon 
the  dome  of  its  great  temple  and  looking  down  upon 
the  whole  and  off  upon  its  mountain  walls,  and  after 
receiving,  on  all  sides,  the  courtesies  and  good  cheer 
of  its  citizens,  at  7  P.  M.  we  were  on  our  way  to 

OGDEN, 

Where  we  were  transferred  from  the  Pullman  pal- 
ace cars  of  the  Union  Pacific  to  the  silver  palace 
cars  of  the  Central  Pacific  railroad.  Six  of  these 
magnificent  coaches,  with  smoking  and  baggage 
cars,  were  provided  for  us.  In  addition,  the  super- 
intendent's car,  laden  with  refreshments  and  fruits, 
the  gift  of  the  generous  San  Franciscans,  brought 
up  the  rear.  A  more  beautiful  train  never  stood 
at  a  depot  to  receive  a  more  grateful  party. 


39 

Here,  at  Ogden,  were  added  to  our  company  sev- 
eral railroad  and  newspaper  officials  of  Utah,  and 
some  few  others  who  missed  the  train  at  Omaha. 
Here,  also,  Mr.  J.  C.  Furgeson,  correspondent  of  the 
Alta  Californian,  joined  us,  and  remained  with  us 
until  we  left  the  pier  at  Oakland,  on  our  return. 
Mr.  F.  contributed  greatly  to  our  entertainment  by 
his  affableness  and  general  knowledge  of  the  country 
through  which  we  passed,  and  the  Pacific  coast. 

Mr.  T.  H.  Goodman,  general  passenger  agent,  and 
Mr.  Chas.  W.  Smith,  general  freight  agent  of  the 
Central  Pacific,  took  us  in  charge.  Mr.  Keim,  who 
had  been  our  acceptable  host  thus  far,  subsidied  into 
one  of  the  happy  party. 

The  following  programme  was  distributed  through 
the 'train : 

PROGRAMME. 

GENERAL  PASSENGER  TICKET  AND  FREIGHT  AGENTS' 
1870.  JOINT  CALIFORIA  EXCURSION.  1870. 


Special  Train.          C.  P.  R,.  R,  Programme. 


FRIDAY,  September  16,  leave   Ogden     -    -     -    8:00  P.  M. 

SATURDAY,     "       17,  arrive  Elko      -     -  IO:OOA.  M.  Breakfast. 

"  "        "       "      Battle  Mountain  -  3:00  P.M.  Dinner. 

"  "        "       "      Humboldt     -     -     8:00     "  Supper. 

SUNDAY,  "       1 8,     "      Summit,     -     -     -  7:00 A.M.  Breakfast. 

"  "        "       "      Colfax,     -     -     -     2:00  P.  M.  Dinner. 

"  "        "       "      Sacramento     -     -6:30?.  M. 

And  arrive  at  San  Francisco  Sunday  evening  or  Monday  morning. 


RETURNING. 
FRIDAY,  September  23,  leave  San  Francisco 

"  "  "  "  Oakland  Pier 

SATURDAY,  "  24,  arrive  Alta  -  - 

"  "  "  "  Humboldt,  - 

SUNDAY,  "  25,  "  Ogden  -  -  - 


-     6:45  p-  M- 

-  7=3°     " 

for  breakfast. 

-  for  dinner. 

IIlOO  A.  M. 


The  gentlemen  of  the  party,  while  in  San  Francisco,  are  respectfully 
requested  to  meet,  daily,  in  the  "Museum"  room  of  the  Mercantile 
Library  Building,  on  Bush  street,  between  Montgomery  and  Sansome 
streets,  at  II  A.  M.,  for  consultation,  and  also  whereby  notice  can  be 
given  of  any  possible  change  of  the  programme. 

The  following  list  comprises  the  officers  and  princi- 
pal offices  of  the 

CENTRAL  PACIFIC  RAILROAD. 


PRINCIPAL  OFFICES. 
415  California  St.,  San  Francisco.  56  and  58  K  St.,  Sacramento. 


54  William  St.,  New  York  City. 


303  Broadway,  New  York  City. 


LELAND  STANFORD 
C.  P.  HUNTINGTON     . 
CHARLES  CROCKER  - 
MARK  HOPKINS       - 
E.  B.  CROCKER  - 

E.  H.  MILLER,  JR.    - 
W.  H.  PORTER  - 

S.  S.  MONTAGUE      - 
B.  B.  REDDING  -     -     - 
J.  R.  WATSON  - 

F.  L.  VANDENBURGH 
A.  N.  TOWNE  -     -     -     - 
JOHN  CORNING 

E.  C.  FELLOWS    - 


-     -     President. 

-  First  Vice-President. 

-  Second  Vice-President. 

-  -  Treasurer. 

-  Attorney  and  General  Agent. 

-  Secretary. 
Auditor. 

-  -  Chief  Engineer. 

Land  Commissioner. 

-  General  Supply  Agent. 
Superintendent  Telegraph. 

-  General  Superintendent. 

-  Ass't  General  Superintendent. 

-  -  Sup't  Western  &Visalia  Divisions 


F.   W.   BOWEN  -  Sup't  Sacramento  &  Oregon  Div's. 

C.  D.  MONTAYNE     -----  Sup't  Truckee  Division. 

C.  E.  GILLETT Sup't  Humboldt  Division. 

JAS.  CAMPBELL   -  -  Sup't  Salt  Lake  Division. 

F.  KNOWLAND  -     -  -  General  Eastern  Agent. 

HENRY  STARRING  -  General  Baggage  Agent. 

CHAS.  W.  SMITH    .....  General  Freight  Agent. 

T.  H.   GOODMAN General  Passenger  Agent. 

THE     CENTRAL     PACIFIC     RAILROAD 
DIVISIONS 

COMPRISE :  Mi]es 

The  SALT  LAKE  DIVISION,  Ogden  to  Toano      ........  182 

HUMBOLDT  DIVISION,  Toano  to  Winnemucca   -     -               -  237 

TRUCKEE  DIVISION,  Winnemucca  to  Truckee      ......  204 

SACRAMENTO  DIVISION,  Truckee  to  Sacramento    ...     -  120 

WESTERN  DIVISION,  Sacramento  to  San  Francisco  -     -     -     -  138 

OREGON  DIVISION,  Junction  to  Soto 92 

(Now  building  to  the  Oregon  State  Line.) 

VISALIA  DIVISION,  Lathrop  to  Stanislaus  River 12 

(Now  building  to  Visalia  and  south.) 

SAN  JOSE  BRANCH,  Niles  to  San  Jose  -     -     •• 18 

S.  F.  AND  OAKLAND  RAILROAD,  San  Francisco  to  Brooklyn  8 

S.  F.  AND  ALAMEDA  RAILROAD,  San  Francisco  to  Hay  ward's  21 

Total  now  being  operated -    1,032 


And  now  the  train  moves  on,  around  the  head  of  Salt 
Lake,  passing,  during  the  night,  many  places  of  inter- 
est, among  them  Brigham  city,  Corrine,  Bear  river, 
noted  in  the  reports  of  early  discoverers,  and  the 
scenes  occurring  to  the  early  emigrants.  During  this 
night's  ride,  we  passed  over  much  territory  worth 
seeing,  which  was  viewed  with  deep  interest  on  our 
return  by  the  light  of  day. 
0 


42 

The  morning  broke  upon  us  coursing  over  the  great 
"American  desert,"  an  area  of  about  sixty  miles 
square.  It  was  desolate  and  lonely — the  bare  beds 
of  alkali  or  wastes  of  gray  sand  alone  meet  the  eye. 
It  is  plausibly  conjectured  that  this  desert  was  once 
the  bed  of  a  saline  lake,  perhaps  a  portion  of  the  Great 
Salt  Lake  itself. 

As  we  looked  out  upon  these  shoreless  wastes,  there 
came  to  us  forcibly  the  words  of  scripture :  "  The  whole 
land  thereof  is  brimstone  and  salt  and  burning,  that  it 
is  not  sown,  nor  beareth,  nor  any  grass  groweth 
therein." 

On  this  desert,  as  all  along  the  road  from  Omaha, 
we  see  the  low  mud  huts  of  the  Chinese  laborers  —  the 
division  hands  of  the  railroad.  They  would  step  aside 
from  the  track  and  give  us  a  mere  passing  look,  return- 
ing to  the  track  instantly,  shovel  in  hand,  giving  the 
retreating  train  not  a  glance.  So  far  as  our  observa- 
tion went,  they  were  models  of  industry  and  faithful- 
ness. By  their  appearance  and  a  peep  into  their 
abodes,  we  judged  scarcity  of  water  in  that  desert  was 
not  a  serious  drawback  to  these  celestials.  If  cleanli- 
ness is  a  part  of  godliness,  then  "John  Chinaman  "  is 
certainly  a  godless  fellow. 

Late  in  the  morning  we  arrived  at  Elko,  the  most 
important  town  in  Nevada,  and  the  most  prominent 
station  on  the  Central  Pacific,  east  of  Sacramento. 


43 

Its  importance   arises   from   the   fact  of  its  being  the 
center  of  the  White  Pine  trade  and  travel. 

Here  we  had  an  excellent  breakfast  at  the  Cosmo- 
politan Hotel,  well  kept  by  Mr.  Treat.  Many  of  us 
met  old  friends  at  this  station,  and  spent  a  most  agree- 
able hour  in  chatting  with  them  and  walking  about 
the  town. 

INDIANS. 

Moving  on  we  soon  reach  Carlin,  a  place  of  impor- 
tance to  the  road.  Here  we  first  met  with  Indians  in 
any  considerable  number.  They  sat  upon  the  ground 
near  the  station.  In  one  circle  eight  or  ten  of  the  males 
were  gambling  for  money.  Near  by  sat  an  equal  num- 
ber of  squaws,  gambling  for  beads  and  bears'  bones, 
their  children  playing  about  them.  We  were  told  that 
they  belonged  to  the  tribe  of  Shoshones.  A  more 
stolid,  degraded,  filthy,  thievish-looking  set  of  vaga- 
bonds in  human  form  we  had  never  seen.  From 
others  which  we  saw  at  different  places  along  the  line 
of  the  railroads,  we  had  fears  that  we  should  never 
have  our  eyes  gladdened  with  any  specimen  of  the 
"  noble  red  man  "  pictured  to  us  by  Fenimore  Cooper 
and  hundreds  of  his  imitators  since.  From  all  that  we 
saw  and  heard,  the  noble  red  man  is  "  played  out," 
and  a  mere  remnant  is  left,  half  brute,  half  savage,  lin- 
gering in  a  greatly  modified  human  form. 


44 


HUMBOLDT   CANON. 

Soon  after  leaving  Carlin,  we  enter  Humboldt  canon, 
twelve  miles  in  length.  The  Humboldt  river  cuts  its 
way  through  this  defile  of  rocks,  running  rapidly  and 
angrily  along  its  pent-up  sides.  This  cafion,  though 
not  so  grand  as  some  we  had  passed,  still  was  a  scene 
long  to  be  remembered.  In  the  fantastically  piled  up 
rocks,  without  much  imagination,  we  saw  castles, 
bowers,  vast  fortifications,  immense  breastworks  of 
contending  armies,  fallen  temples,  and  abandoned, 
crumbling  cities.  The  party,  in  that  half-hour  "run" 
through  "twelve-mile  canon,"  lived  months  in  feast 
of  eyes  and  emotion  of  heart 

Here  many  thrilling  incidents  have  occurred  during 
the  "emigrant  times."  Near  this  canon  a  party  from 
Arkansas  were  surprised  by  hostile  Indians,  while  rest- 
ing at  noon,  and  instantly  killed,  with  the  exception  of 
one  of  their  number,  who  snatched  up  his  rifle  and 
retreated  to  the  nearest  cover,  and  there  battled  with 
all  the  energy  of  despair,  killing  several  of  the  savages 
before  being  dispatched  by  the  arrows  of  his  assailants. 

At  Battle  Mountain  station  we  dined  with  the 
oldest  hotel  keeper  of  Nevada,  Mr.  N.  H.  Gardner. 
Before  approaching  the  station,  bills  of  fare  were 
scattered  through  the  cars.  As  we  read  over  this 
metropolitan  bill  of  varied  luscious  dishes,  we  thought, 
what  would  the  emigrants,  toiling  and  starving  over 


45 

this  region,  only  a  few  years  ago,  have  said,  if  as- 
sured that  immediately  on  their  heels  the  iron  horse 
would  draw  up  a  train  of  passengers  to  a  first-class 
eating  station,  within  sight  of  the  very  spot  of  their 
deadly  encounter  with  the  savages  ?  But  so  it  is 
with  this  Yankee  nation — "  you  can't  most  always 
tell,  sometimes,  when  you  least  expect  it  the  most" 
From  here  on  to  Humboldt  station,  we  pass  over 
a  country  of  not  much  interest  except  in  its  past 
history  of  Indians  and  emigrants,  mines  and  hot 
springs.  No  vegetation  meets  the  eye  but  the  sage 
brush — alkali  beds  are  frequent  and  the  impalpable 
dust  stirred  up  by  the  rushing  train  penetrates  through 
the  double  windows  of  our  cars,  and  produces  some 
sore  throats  and  lips. 

APPROACHING  THE    SIERRAS. 

At  a  late  hour  in  the  evening  we  supped  at  Hum- 
boldt, and  push  on  in  high  spirits,  knowing  that  in 
the  morning  our  eyes  are  to  be  gladdened  with  the 
sight  of  the  Sierra  Nevadas. 

We  gather  in  our  usual  groups,  and  talk  over  the 
days  incidents,  the  coming  scenes  of  mountain  and 
plains,  and  our  advent  into  the  metropolis  of  the 
Pacific  on  the  morrow.  We  can  never  be  grateful 
enough  to  that  party  of  ladies,  who  made  even  the 
alkaline  plains  a  sort  of  oasis,  by  their  smiles,  good 


46 

cheer  and  uniform  vivacity  of  spirits.  Those  even- 
ings across  the  continent  can  never  be  forgotten. 
We  watched  this  forced  female  society  upon  two  vet- 
eran old  bachelors  —  gradually  we  noticed  their  hard- 
ness begin  to  soften,  the  rigidity  of  face  give  away, 
and  reticence  breaking  into  a  kind  of  chattiness. 
From  the  influence  of  that  trip  we  are  looking  con- 
fidently in  the  list  of  marriages  for  the  announce- 
ment that  Mr.  E.  S.  T.  or  Mr.  A.  J.  M.  were,  etc.,  etc. 

That  night  we  retired  to  our  beds  oppressed  with 
summer  heat,  somewhat  restless  and  dusty.  In  the 
morning  we  awoke  at  Truckee  with  frosty  windows, 
a  crisp  and  bracing  air  about  us.  We  had  com- 
menced the  ascent  of  the  Sierra  range. 

The  ascent  from  Truckee  mingles  the  grand  with 
the  beautiful.  The  first  rays  of  the  sun  added  bril- 
liancy to  the  landscape  and  tinged  the  mountain  peaks 
with  gold.  All  were  pointing  out  objects  of  beauty 
and  grandeur.  As  we  rounded  a  mountain  peak,  or 
pursued  our  course  through  a  gorge,  or  darted 
through  a  tunnel,  on  every  side,  and  ever,  scenes 
awing,  grand  and  beautiful,  passed  before  us.  The 
weight  of  the  rails,  and  the  solidity  of  the  track, 
and  the  ease  with  which  the  locomotive  moved  our 
heavy  train  in  this  wild  region  of  mountain  canons 
and  peaks,  drew  forth  unstinted  praise  from  our  prac- 
tical party  of  railroad  judges. 


47 

We  mounted  the  engine  and  rode  along  this  track 
among  the  clouds  —  now  moving  along  on  sideling 
rocks  —  now  upon  the  edge  of  dizzy  precipices,  look- 
ing down  a  thousand  feet  upon  patches  of  grass  and 
silver  streams.  "  Ah,  but,"  said  the  engineer,  "  you 
ought  to  see  it  snow  here  —  coming  down  in  flakes  as 
big  as  a  pancake  —  to  a  depth  of  feet  in  an  hour." 
We  suggested  that  it  was  not  really  natural  snowing, 
but  that  the  clouds  drifting  along  these  mountains 
were  punctured  by  their  peaks,  and  their  contents 
abnormally  emptied.  He  expressed  himself  gratified 
with  this  new  explanation  of  the  heavy  snowing  of 
these  mountain  regions,  only,  he  said,  the  less  abnor- 
mal snowing  the  better  for  him  and  all  concerned  in 
railroading  on  the  Sierras. 

THE   SUMMIT. 

The  summit  was  reached  at  an  early  hour,  where 
we  were  met  by  Mr.  S.  P.  Holden,  Mr.  Roe,  Mr.  Pat- 
ten of  the  Cosmopolitan,  and  Mr.  Ridgeway  of  the 
Grand  Hotel,  San  Francisco.  At  the  "  Summit 
House,"  a  most  excellent  breakfast  was  provided  ;  all 
were  in  capital  eating  order,  and  did  the  good  things 
provided  ample  justice. 

After  breakfast  the  party,  guided  by  Mr.  Goodman, 
who,  since  his  meeting  the  party  at  Ogden,  had  been 
most  indefatigable  in  his  efforts  to  make  us  all  perfectly 
comfortable,  proceeded  through  the  long  tunnel  on  the 


48 

summit  (1,659  feet)  to  the  mountain  tops  overlooking 
Donner  lake.  Here  the  party  were  for  a  moment  lost 
in  silent  admiration  of  the  beautiful  landscape  reposing 
in  serene  beauty  far  beneath  them.  However  awe- 
inspiring  the  scene  and  sublime  the  spectacle  of  so 
large  a  number  of  persons  thus  quietly  doing  homage 
to  the  great  Creator,  it  could  not  long  continue.  The 
pent  up  feelings  of  the  party  must  have  vent,  and  so 
with  one  accord  they  sang  — 

"  Praise  God  from  whom  all  blessings  flow." 

The  party  then  scattered  among  the  rocks  in  search 
of  lichens,  mosses  and  ferns,  of  which  each  lady 
brought  away  large  selections. 

A  stay  of  two  hours  was  allowed  us  at  the  summit, 
during  which  time  we  enjoyed  ourselves  as  children, 
rambling  over  the  mountains. 

As  we  were  on  the  point  of  departure,  an  agreeable 
surprise  was  given  to  us  by  our  hostess,  who  presented 
four  of  the  party,  viz.,  C.  W.  Smith  and  lady,  A.  Hull 
and  wife,  Mrs.  Evarts  and  Mr.  G.  L.  Grant,  with 
handsome  cakes,  neatly  ornamented  with  sugar  orna- 
ments, and  having  the  name  of  each  fortunate  recipient 
put  on  with  the  same  sweet  material.  Much  satisfac- 
tion was  shown  by  the  entire  party  for  this  marked 
kindness,  and  no  jealousy  was  shown  by  those  who 
were  not  recipients  from  the  hostess.  All  understood 
the  names  were  selected  at  random. 


49 

Refreshed  and  delighted  by  their  stay  at  the  sum- 
mit, the  party  again  set  out  on  their  journey  westward. 

After  getting  clear  of  the  almost  interminable  snow- 
sheds,  the  grand  scenery  around  us  was  greatly 
enjoyed. 

A  little  above  the  forks  of  the  American  river,  the 
observation  car  was  attached  to  the  train.  In  this  the 
ladies,  and  as  many  gentlemen  as  could  get  comfort- 
ably inside  of  it,  took  up  their  places  of  observation. 
On  went  the  train,  at  first  at  good  speed,  but  latterly 
slower  and  slower,  until  it  stopped  on  the  brink  of  a 
precipice ;  and,  as  the  magnificent  view  of  the  forks 
of  the  American  river  burst  upon  our  delighted  gaze, 
expressions  of  admiration  broke  forth  from  all. 

After  halting  sufficiently  long  to  give  every  person 
present  an  opportunity  of  feasting  their  eyes  upon  the 
grand  mountain  scenery,  the  train  again  moved 
rapidly  on.  Fifteen  miles  more  of  the  same  enchant- 
ing scenery,  in  which  the  long  ridges  of  the  Sierras, 
bristling  with  pine  trees  like  huge  cheveaux-de-frise 
filled  up  the  back  ground,  we  arrived,  after  several 
false  alarms,  at  the  real  Cape  Horn  —  a  scene  of  sub- 
lime grandeur,  unequaled  on  the  whole  transcon- 
tinental railroad." 

CAPE   HORN. 

It  is  difficult  to  describe  in  words  the  sublimity  of 
this  scene.  Our  first  sensation  upon  its  bursting  into 


50 

full  view  was  that  of  faintness,  not  from  fear,  but 
from  intense  awe.  Here  our  train  rested  upon  the 
side  of  a  mountain  away  up  near  its  summit,  like  a 
statue  in  a  niche  high  up  on  some  old  tower.  Down, 
down  the  precipitous  sides  of  our  mountain,  2,500 
feet  below  us,  we  saw  a  silver  stream  —  plats  of  grass 
—  great  trees  that  looked  like  garden  shrubbery. 
Across  a  brief  valley  and  mountain  sides  intervened, 
and  on  and  beyond  them  peaks  on  peaks  piled 
themselves  to  the  skies. 

Lengthen  out  that  valley,  raise  those  mountains 
but  a  little,  and  you  look  down  on  Yosemite  from  the 
track  of  the  Central  Pacific.  We  gazed  long  and 
enchanted  on  that  scene  of  sublimity  and  beauty, 
and  entered,  our  train,  saying,  audibly,  "  Oh  !  Lord, 
how  manifold  are  thy  works,  in  wisdom  hast  thon 
made  them  all." 

We  move  on,  surrounded  on  every  side  by  scenes 
of  grandeur ;  descending  rapidly  the  Sierra  range, 
we  pass  through  mining  towns,  looking  upon  hun- 
dreds of  acres  of  "  surface  diggings  "  where  man  has 
toiled  and  sweat  for  the  shining  ore;  we  see  miles 
and  miles  of  "  sluice  ways  "  running  parallel  with  us, 
over  us  and  under  us,  across  gorges  and  through 
mountains  sides  and  all  for  gold.  Now  we  begin 
to  catch  glimpses  of  the  plains  of  the  Pacific.  We 
are  rapidly  descending  into  the  valley  of  the  Sacra- 


mento.  With  what  interest  did  we  look  out  upon 
this  land  of  the  extreme  west.  We  should  soon  gaze 
upon  the  waters  of  the  Pacific  and  walk  the  streets  of 
its  metropolis. 

SACRAMENTO. 

Sacramento  is  reached  at  5  P.  M.  Here  we  stop 
an  hour  and  look  about  the  capital  of  the  Golden 
State.  Mr.  Towne,  General  Superintendent,  and  Mr. 
Corning,  Assistant  General  Superintendent,  of  the 
Central  Pacific  had  joined  us  in  the  morning,  and 
added  much  to  our  enjoyments  by  their  attentions 
and  care  for  us.  And  here  we  would  remember  with 
gratitude,  Messrs.  Kohler  and  Floring,  and  Messrs. 
Eberhart  and  Lachman,  for  sending  refreshments  for 
the  use  of  the  party. 

On  leaving  Sacramento  we  were  happy  to  find 
on  board  E.  C.  Fellows,  Superintendent  of  the  West- 
ern division  of  the  C.  P.  R.  R.  We  had  rode  many 
hundred  miles  in  former  years  under  his  conductor- 
ship  on  the  New  York  Central  Railroad.  The  passage 
from  this  city  to  San  Francisco  Bay  was  through  a 
beautiful  and  fertile  plain,  dotted  here  and  there  with 
an  oak,  which  in  the  distance  greatly  resembled  vigor- 
ous orchards.  This  ride  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
miles,  under  the  guidance  of  Mr.  Fellows,  showed  con- 
clusively that  "tall  running"  could  be  made  on  the 
Pacific  roads  as  well  as  those  of  the  Atlantic. 


52 

At  Oakland  many  of  the  party  were  met  by 
old  friends,  residents  of  California.  Passing  on 
to  the  ferry  boat,  the  lights  of  San  Francisco,  five 
miles  across  the  bay,  presented  a  beautiful  sight ;  the 
city  being  built  on  a  side  hill,  giving  at  one  view 
the  gas-lights  of  numerous  streets. 

SAN   FRANCISCO. 

On  the  wharf  at  San  Francisco  we  were  met  by 
carriages  which  conveyed  us  to  the  various  hotels 
where  we  had  been  previously  assigned.  At  these 
abodes  of  comfort  and  luxury  we  were  at  once 
at  home ;  though  our  trip  had  been  so  comfortable, 
so  well  arranged,  so  leisurely  made,  that  no  one  felt 
the  sense  of  weariness.  The  writer,  with  some  forty 
or  fifty  of  the  party,  were  located  at  the  "  Grand 
Hotel."  We  can  say,  heartily,  this  hotel  well  de- 
serves its  title.  In  its  appointments  we  believe  it  is 
not  excelled  by  any  in  our  country.  The  especial 
attentions  shown  us  by  Mr.  Ridgeway,  one  of  the 
proprietors,  was  appreciated.  Those  of  our  party 
located  at  the  "  Cosmopolitan  "  and  "  Occidental  " 
report  genial  hosts  and  luxurious  accommodations. 

On  Monday,  according  to  a  notice  issued  by  Mr.  T. 
H.  Goodman,  the  party  met  at  1 1  A.  M.,  in  the  mu- 
seum of  the  Mercantile  Library,  to  form  a  permanent 
organization  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  most 


53 

effectually  the  different  visits  and  excursions  to  be 
made.  After  a  handsome  welcome  by  Mr.  Goodman 
to  the  Pacific  coast,  W.  W.  Chandler  was  called  to 
the  chair,  and  in  due  form  appointed  Messrs.  Weed, 
Rhodes  and  Cannon  a  "  committee  "  to  nominate  per- 
manent officers.  They  reported  C.  E.  Follett  for  pres- 
dent,  and  Sam'l  Powell  for  secretary. 

Hereupon  Mr.  Goodman  read  numerous  invitations 
to  the  party  :  From  the  proprietors  of  Woodward's 
Garden  ;  a  general  invitation  from  the  managers  of  the 
California  Theatre;  an  invitation  from  the  Superin- 
tendent of  the  San  Jose  Railroad  to  pass  over  the  road 
through  the  Santa  Clara  valley  to  San  Jose ;  from  Mr. 
Ralston,  to  accept  his  hospitality  at  his  private  resi- 
dence at  Belmont,  on  our  return  from  San  Jose ;  an 
invitation  from  the  officers  of  the  Agricultural  Park. 

A  hearty  vote  of  thanks  for  all  these  invitations  was 
tendered  by  the  party. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  procure  a  suitable 
badge  for  each  of  the  party. 

The  chairman  appointed  the  following  gentlemen  as 
a  standing  committee :  J.  F.  Aglar,  L.  Carvell,  F.  N. 
Myers,  A.  A.  Folsom  and  L.  P.  Grant. 

It  was  announced  that  the  managers  of  the  Mercan- 
tile Library  extended  the  freedom  of  the  entire  insti- 
tution to  the  party  during  their  stay  in  the  city. 


54 


SIGHT   SEEING. 

After  adjournment,  all  of  the  party,  eager  to  know 
something  of  the  objects  of  interest  in  and  around  the 
city,  scattered  in  every  direction;  some  to  the  Cliff 
House,  to  look  out  on  the  Pacific,  and  to  view  that 
wonderful  sight,  the  sea-lions  working  themselves  up 
upon  a  ledge  of  rocks,  a  few  rods  from  the  shore,  bark- 
ing and  sporting  with  each  other,  and  then  plunging 
into  the  deep.  Others  visited  Woodward's  Gardens, 
and  were  delighted  with  the  sight  of  his  wonderful 
collection  of  animals,  and  with  the  beauty  and  variety 
of  his  trees  and  flowers. 

Others,  still,  visited  "  Lone  Mountain,"  the  city  of 
the  dead.  The  vast  area  covered  with  graves  showed 
that  death  had  its  numerous  victims  on  the  Pacific 
shore.  Among  the  monuments  most  notable  we 
noticed  those  of  Senators  Broderick  and  Baker — two 
men  with  a  favorable  national  reputation — both  dying 
tragically.  At  Mission  Dolores  (the  original  San 
Francisco)  we  saw  the  little  chapel,  with  its  tile  roof 
and  its  rough  walls,  cracked  and  scarred  by  repeated 
earthquakes,  but  still  serviceable.  Around  this  quaint 
church  is  a  cemetery  filled  to  repletion  with  graves. 
Here  are  the  graves  of  Corry  and  Casey,  who  died 
of  hanging  by  the  vigilance  committee.  On  the 
tombstone  of  the  former  is  engraved,  "  May  God  have 
mercy  on  my  persecutors."  It  was  remarked  by  our 


55 

guide,  an  old  citizen  and  one  of  that  celebrated  vigi- 
lance committee,  "  Poor  Corry  should  have  spared  no 
prayers  on  others;  he  needed  them  all  for  himself." 

On  Tuesday  our  party  met  again,  in  the  museum  of 
the  Library  building,  at  1 1  o'clock,  and  were  called  to 
order  by  Mr.  Follett,  the  president  An  invitation 
was  read  from  the  Mission  and  Pacific  Woolen  Mills, 
requesting  a  visit  from  the  party  to  inspect  their 
works,  and  to  note  the  improvements  made  on  this 
coast  in  the  woolen  trade;  which  was  accepted. 

Tickets  for  the  Agricultural  Park  Fair  were  distribu- 
ted among  the  excursionists. 

NEILSON'S   SPEECH. 

Mr.  Neilson  was  introduced  by  the  president,  and  in 
a  few  remarks  referred  to  the  benefits  that  would 
accrue  to  the  United  States  and  the  Australian  colo- 
nies by  the  railroads,  and  also  by  the  establishment  of 
a  subsidized  steamship  line  between  the  two  countries. 

Mr.  Neilson  said,  in  substance :  The  Pacific  rail- 
way has  been  ostensibly  constructed  to  accommodate 
the  traffic  of  some  700,000  persons,  residents  of  the 
Pacific  slope.  But  there  were  over  2,000,000  in  the 
golden  lands  of  Australia  and  New  Zealand,  as  active, 
enterprising,  wealthy,  as  fond  of  travel,  as  we  are,  to 
whom  our  great  transcontinental  railway  is  destined 
to  become  an  accommodation  fully  as  great  as  it  is  to 


56 

us.  These  colonies  have  an  immense  passenger 
traffic  with  Great  Britain.  That  traffic  had  hitherto 
passed  along  two  routes :  first,  by  steamers  up  the 
Red  sea,  thence  by  railroad  across  the  isthmus  of 
Suez,  and  then  again  by  steamers  up  the  Mediter- 
ranean. This  voyage  was  accomplished  in  fifty-six 
days,  at  a  cost  of  not  less  than  $600  for  a  first  class 
passage.  Second  class  passengers  are  not  taken 
along  this  line  at  all.  The  other  route  was  by  sailing 
vessels  around  the  "  Horn."  The  passage  was  a 
stormy,  uncomfortable  and  tedious  one,  that  averaged 
100  days,  and  cost  $400,  first  class. 

The  Red  sea  route,  during  three  or  four  months  of 
the  year,  was  so  exceedingly  unhealthy  as  to  deter 
all  persons,  not  absolutely  compelled  by  business, 
from  traveling  along  it.  For  a  moment  let  us  con- 
sider what  we  have  to  offer  as  a  substitute  for  these 
two  routes.  From  England  to  New  York  we  have 
the  finest  steamers  in  the  world,  averaging  the  trip  in 
nine  days.  Then  we  have  our  grand  transconti- 
nental railway,  with  all  the  varied  experiences  it  opens 
up  to  the  traveler,  accomplishing  the  space,  from  ocean 
to  ocean,  in  less  than  seven  days.  Steamers  averaging 
twelve  knots  per  hour  on  the  mild  Pacific,  and  that, 
though  much  less  than  is  now  steamed  on  the  more 
stormy  Atlantic,  would,  nevertheless,  reach  Melbourne 
in  twenty  days.  Thus,  the  whole  voyage  between 


57 

England  and  Australia  would  occupy  but  thirty-six 
days,  or,  if  to  allow  for  stoppages,  say  forty  days,  we 
still  accomplish  the  distance  in  at  least  a  fortnight  less 
than  by  the  unhealthy  Red  sea  route. 

He  need  not  tell  business  men  that  such  a  saving 
of  time,  to  say  nothing  of  the  other  great  advantages, 
would,  of  itself,  settle  the  whole  question  as  to  which 
channel  the  trade  would  take.  To  show  what  that 
trade  amounted  to,  he  would  mention  that  the  imports 
and  exports  of  Australasia  equaled  $75,000,000  per 
annum.  Last  year,  $6,000,000  were  paid  for  first 
class  passages  alone,  between  Australasia  and  Great 
Britain. 

Much  might  be  said  of  the  ultimate  advantages 
that  would  flow  to  this  country  from  such  a  stream  of 
wealth  passing  through  it  as  would  be  induced  to  pass 
this  way.  His  present  purpose,  however,  was  to 
show  that  a  large  railway  traffic  might  be  expected  as 
the  result  of  the  establishment  of  a  first  class  steam 
line  from  San  Francisco  to  the  colonies. 

A  bill  was  already  before  congress  granting  a  sub- 
sidy to  such  a  line,  and  would  come  up  early  next 
session.  It  was  in  the  interest  of  the  railway  men  to 
use  their  influence  to  secure  the  passage  of  that  bill, 
as,  without  a  subsidy,  no  steam  line  could  compete 
with  the  wealthy  Peninsula  and  Oriental  Company, 
which  was  so  largely  subsidized  by  the  English  govern- 


58 

ment,  and  took  the  mails  and  traffic  via  the  Dead  sea. 
Then  it  might  be  a  matter  for  railway  men  to  consider 
how  far  it  would  be  wise  to  make  special  arrange- 
ments to  encourage  and  open  up  this  special  traffic. 

Mr.  Neilson  was  listened  to  with  intense  interest  in 
the  portrayal  of  his  feasible  project.  He  was  invited 
to  address  the  railroad  convention  about  to  meet  in 
Chicago.  He  there  made  a  clear,  convincing  and 
exhaustive  speech  upon  the  same  subject 

Mr.  Goodman  announced  that  Messrs.  Eldridge  and 
Irwin  had  tendered  a  steamer  for  the  use  of  the  excur- 
sionists Thursday.  A  letter  was  received  from  the 
N.  P.  T.  Co.,  offering  a  steamer  for  Friday,  but  on 
account  of  the  departure  of  the  party  on  that  day,  it 
could  not  be  accepted. 

Col.  Albert  S.  Evans  and  others  offered  to  escort 
the  various  members  of  the  party  to  the  different  parts 
of  Chinatown,  and  the  principal  warehouses  in  the  city. 

An  invitation  was  received  from  Messrs.  Kohler  & 
Frohling,  and  Messrs.  Eberhart  &  Lachman,  to  visit 
their  wine  establishments. 

CHINESE   QUARTERS. 

Immediately  after  the  adjournment,  the  party 
formed  into  various  small  squads,  and  wandered  off, 
some  to  the  Pacific  Mission  Woolen  Mills,  while  a 
larger  party  still,  under  the  guidance  of  a  few  gentle- 


59 

men  of  the  city  (who  volunteered),  proceeded  down 
town,  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  Chinese  quarters,  and  to 
inspect  the  wholesale  houses  in  that  neighborhood. 
The  first  place  visited  was  the  house  of  Chy  Lung  & 
Co.,  on  Sacramento  street,  where  the  party  inspected 
the  various  fancy  goods,  silks,  satins  and  articles  of 
ornament,  sold  by  this  firm.  After  a  thorough  exam- 
ination, the  gentlemen  proceeded  up  the  street  to 
the  store  of  Tong,  Chong  &  Co.,  743  Sacramento 
street,  where  China  teas  and  articles  of  household  use 
are  kept  for  sale.  Here  the  Chinese  money,  denomi- 
nated "  cash,"  was  freely  distributed  among  them. 
Cups  of  tea  were  also  passed  round.  At  this  place, 
YeeTeen,  one  of  the  firm  of  Yu  Yuen  &  Co.,  opposite, 
invited  all  comprising  the  party  to  visit  a  Chinese  res- 
taurant, and,  accepting  his  offer,  the  excursionists 
adjourned  to  the  Hong  Fa  Low,  on  the  west  side  of 
Dupont,  between  Sacramento  and  Commercial  streets. 
Here  the  party  partook  of  a  lunch  which  was  gotten 
up  impromptu,  consisting  of  various  styles  of  cakes 
and  teas,  and  also  of  cigars.  Yee  Teen,  who  is  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  the  restaurant,  amused  his  guests 
with  several  airs,  among  which  was  "John  Brown," 
on  a  three-stringed  fiddle. 

Thanking  the  proprietors  for  their  kindness,  and 
feeling  a  desire  to  see  the  mode  and  place  of  wor- 
ship of  these  people,  the  party  proceeded  to  the 


6o 

"  Ning  Teong  "  temple,  on  Dupont  alley,  near  Pacific 
street.  A  request  to  view  the  interior  having  been 
extended,  all  mounted  the  stairs,  and,  on  the  second 
floor,  were  greeted  with  a  sight  of  some  newly  landed 
immigrants,  who  had  not  yet  been  assigned  to  work. 
Still  up,  on  the  third  story,  the  visitors  were  fairly 
amazed  at  the  sight  which  was  presented.  Curious 
carvings  and  castings,  the  image  of  "  Joss  "  in  satins 
and  silks,  the  panoply  and  various  dresses,  curious 
inscriptions  and  other  objects,  were  to  be  seen  in  all 
directions.  The  most  attractive  object,  however,  was 
the  "Antique  Bell,"  cast  some  2,000  years  since; 
which  is  rung  during  festival  service,  to  keep  off 
the  evil  spirits.  From  here  the  party  went  to  the 
wine  establishment  of  Messrs.  Landsberger  &  Co., 
on  Jackson  street,  where  they  were  courteously  re- 
ceived by  Mr.  L.,  and  the  various  operations  of  bot- 
tling, corking,  removing  sediment,  and  all  the  various 
manipulations  of  champagne  manufacture,  explained. 

TRIP    DOWN   THE    COAST. 

Wednesday  morning,  according  to  arrangements, 
we  were  to  make  an  excursion  on  the  San  Jose  rail- 
road. At  12:30  o'clock,  the  party  congregated  on 
Market  street,  in  front  of  the  "  Grand  Hotel "  where 
they  were  taken  by  the  Market  street  cars  to  the  San 
Jose  depot.  Here  four  cars  awaited  us,  and  we 


6i 

started  on  our  trip  propitiously  and  pleasantly,  T. 
H.  Goodman  still  acting  as  master  of  ceremonies, 
as  he  had  done  since  our  arrival.  We  considered  it 
fortunate  that  we  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a 
gentleman  so  thoroughly  competent,  and  so  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  the  characteristics  of  the 
coast.  All  felt  the  peculiar  appropriateness  of  pur- 
chasing and  presenting  some  token  of  our  apprecia- 
tion before,  the  breaking  up  the  party  to  Messrs. 
Goodman  and  Keim.  Accordingly,  the  matter  was 
easily  accomplished,  under  the  suggestion  and  lead 
of  Mr.  St.  John  of  the  Chicago  and  Rock  Island  road. 
We  were  all  delightfully  surprised  by  the  evi- 
dences of  agricultural  wealth  in  the  San  Jose  valley 
through  which  we  were  passing.  Substantial  farm 
houses  and  elegant  country  residences  dotted  the 
view  on  either  side,  and  the  evidence  of  refinement 
and  luxury  were  visible  everywhere. 


SAN   MATED. 

The  first  halt  was  at  San  Mateo,  at  the  princely 
residence  of  Alvinza  Hayward.  The  cars  stopped 
within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  house.  Our 
course  led  us  through  a  beautiful  winding  avenue, 
cleanly  graveled,  and  bordered  by  flowers  of  the 
richest  hue,  and  shrubbery  of  the  most  rare  and 
beautiful  varieties. 


62 

Then  we  were  conducted  to  the  stable,  which  is 
a  palace  of  itself,  being  far  more  elegant  in  all  of  its 
appointments  than  the  residence  of  many  a  wealthy 
man. 

On  one  side  of  the  gallery  are  single  stalls,  and  on 
the  other,  double  ones,  or  rather  rooms,  for  each 
double  stall  is  completely  inclosed  like  a  room,  having 
a  door,  with  a  lock  and  key,  and  appearing  more  like 
a  private  apartment  set  aside  for  the  use  of  a  guest, 
than  quarters  for  the  equine  pets  of  the  princely  pro- 
prietor. The  stalls  are  littered  with  the  cleanest  straw, 
the  rear  of  which  is  bordered  by  a  rush  matting 
extending  the  whole  length  of  the  range  of  stalls,  and 
evidently  placed  there  more  for  ornament  than  utility. 
No  kitchen  floor  is  more  scrupulously  clean  than  the 
floor  of  the  main  gallery  between  the  ranges  of  stalls. 
The  wooden  divisions  between  the  stalls  are  each  sur- 
mounted by  tasteful  designs  of  iron -work.  The  whole 
visible  wood-work,  except  the  floor,  is  composed  of 
alternate  strips  of  red-wood  and  Oregon  white  pine, 
which  are  varnished,  presenting  a  very  rich  and 
finished  appearance.  No  paint  is  to  be  seen  around 
the  stable.  Water  is  brought  into  the  stable  by  pipes. 
Gas  is  supplied  from  the  same  source  which  supplies 
the  house — a  gasometer.  A  telegraphic  instrument 
connects  with  the  house,  so  that  the  proprietor  may 
give  orders  to  his  hostlers  without  commanding  their 


63 

presence.  Few  of  the  guests  had  seen  any  thing  to 
compare  with  this  in  elegance,  and  all  were  enthusiastic 
in  praise  of  the  consummate  taste  displayed.  The 
hostlers  brought  out  of  her  private  apartment  (one  of 
the  double  palatial  stalls  referred  to)  the  little  beauty  of 
a  bay  colt,  "  San  Mateo  Maid,"  of  Hambletonian  stock, 
three  years  old,  which  excited  the  admiration  of  the 
judges  of  horse-flesh,  of  which  there  were  many 
along. 

Leaving  the  main  stable  the  visitors  entered  the 
carriage-room,  which  was  well  stocked,  in  accordance 
with  other  appointments.  Opening  from  this  to  the 
right  is  the  harness-room,  carpeted  and  furnished  with 
chairs  and  a  sofa.  The  harness  are  kept  in  the  most 
complete  order,  and  are  preserved  from  dust  by  a  glass 
case  with  black  walnut  frame,  which  occupies  two 
sides  of  the  room.  Up  stairs  is  an  immense  hay-loft, 
with  a  capacity  for  several  hundred  tons  of  hay. 

It  was  said  that  "  Old  Ben.  Wade  "  was  here  not 
long  since,  and  remarked,  after  looking  over  this 
extravagant  horse-house,  "  Well,  if  I  was  not  a  man, 
I  would  like  to  be  a  horse  in  California." 

Leaving  the  stable,  we  strolled  around  the  grounds, 
the  pleasure  part  of  which  occupy  twelve  acres.  Sur- 
rounding them  is  a  private  race  track,  always  in  fine 
condition.  The  ample  grounds  are  laid  out  with  the 
most  artistic  skill.  Water  is  supplied  from  a  large 


64 

reservoir,  distant  four  miles  in  the  mountains,  and 
brought  in  for  the  special  use  of  Mr.  Hayward's 
princely  mansion  and  grounds. 

Every  variety  of  vegetation  that  money  will  pro- 
cure may  here  be  seen.  Evergreens  of  all  descrip- 
tions, twenty  or  thirty  varieties  of  the  acacia,  beautiful 
bunches  of  pampas  grass,  immense  bay  trees,  and 
flowers  and  foliage  of  almost  innumerable  variety, 
combine  to  produce  an  effect  akin  to  fairy-land. 
Indeed,  it  was  more  than  once  remarked  by  the 
visitors,  during  the  course  of  the  day,  that  the  tale  of 
the  Arabian  Nights  was  realized. 

After  a  thorough  tour  of  inspection  of  the  grounds, 
the  course  of  the  visitors  brought  them,  by  the 
natural  law  of  attraction,  as  it  were,  to  the  shade  of  a 
wide  spreading  bay  tree,  where  were  spread  in  tempt- 
ing display  a  bountiful  supply  of  the  finest  of  fruits, 
huge  bowls  of  iced  punch,  and  the  finest  of  wines, 
all  of  which  received  due  attention  from  the  thirsty 
and  already  somewhat  fatigued  guests. 

FAIR  OAKS,  MERILO  PARK  AND  BELMONT. 
Again  taking  the  cars,  we  proceed  as  far  as  Fair 
Oaks,  where  we  found  carriages  awaiting  us.  In  these 
the  party  took  a  rapid  detour  to  the  right,  passing 
around  and  through  the  country  seat  of  Mayor  Thos. 
H.  Selby.  The  limited  time  allowed  gave  us  but  a 


65 

hasty  glance  at  the  fine  orchard  and  beautiful  sur- 
roundings. 

On  resuming  the  cars  we  were  soon  at  the  residence 
of  Mr.  Edward  Harron,  at  Merilo  park.  Here  we 
alighted  and  spent  half  an  hour  in  rambling  around 
the  delightful  grounds  and  through  the  large  and  sump- 
tuously furnished  house.  The  grounds  of  this  resi- 
dence are  not  excelled  by  any  in  point  of  attractive 
beauty.  Their  chief  feature  is  their  huge  shade  trees 
and  velvety  lawns,  which  more  than  atone  for  the  lack 
of  a  large  variety  of  flowers  and  shrubbery,  as  they 
are  far  more  suggestive  of  retiring  comfort. 

Returning  then  toward  the  city,  the  party  stopped  at 
Belmont,  the  residence  of  Mr.  Ralston,  the  cashier  of 
the  Bank  of  California.  Carriages  conveyed  us  to  this 
elegant  private  residence.  Here  we  spent  two  hours, 
walking  through  the  spacious  house,  yard,  stables,  etc. 

At  about  6  P.  M.  200  guests  sat  down  to  a  most 
sumptuous  dinner.  Every  delicacy  and  variety  of 
food  of  that  prolific  country  and  clime  found  a  place  on 
those  burdened  tables. 

After  partaking  of  these  regal  hospitalities  to  the 
full,  we  were  conveyed  to  the  cars  and  set  our  faces 
cityward.  Never  had  we  spent  a  day  of  more 
unalloyed  pleasure  than  the  one  we  were  now  closing. 
All  were  in  high  spirits.  A  discovery  had  been 
made  which  was  of  some  value  to  us,  and  that  was, 


66 

that  the  word  "  California  "  was  a  true  shibboleth  to 
test  the  articulation  of  a  mouth  that  had  sampled  the 
native  wines  of  the  Pacific  coast.  We  heard  several, 
even  of  the  more  sedate  of  our  generally  exemplary 
party,  attempt  in  vain  the  enunciation  of  that  word. 
In  the  evening  the  Chinese  theater  was  visited  by  a 
portion  of  the  party,  many  of  them  being  ladies. 
They  remained  about  an  hour,  after  which  they  took 
a  trip  through  Jackson  and  Pacific  streets,  viewing  the 
delectable  locality  known  as  "  Chinatown  "  or  "  Bar- 
bary  Coast."  They  wended  their  way  through  these 
streets  and  adjoining  alleys,  laughing  merrily  at  the 
strange  and  uncouth  sights,  and  apparently  in  as  high 
glee  as  when  at  the  country  seats  of  San  Francisco's 
financial  princes.  They  delighted  in  peering  in  at  the 
windows,  and  with  childish  merriment  would  knock  at 
the  doors  and  windows  of  the  close  rooms,  and  laugh 
to  see  the  astonishment  of  the  inmates. 

THE  BAY  AND  THE  GOLDEN  GATE. 

The  next  morning  was  the  set  time  for  the  trip 
outside  the  Golden  Gate,  around  the  harbor,  and  the 
lunch  on  the  P.  M.  S.  Co.'s  steamer  America,  Here 
we  insert  entire  Mr.  J.  C.  Furgeson's  description  of 
the  trip,  as  given  in  the  "Alta  Californian." 

"  At  nine  o'clock  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  this 
party,  with  their  friends,  numbering  in  all  about  four 


67 

hundred  persons,  embarked  on  board  the  splendid 
steamer  Chrysopolis,  which  was  tendered  to  the  party 
by  the  California  Steam  Navigation  Company.  This 
handsome  vessel,  always  kept  in  the  best  of  trim, 
was  particularly  inviting.  Gaily  decked  with  flags,  and 
got  up  expressly  for  the  occasion,  her  appearance  was 
such  as  would  tempt  even  the  most  timid  person  to  sail 
in  her  over  our  beautiful  bay.  Every  thing  on  board 
was  arranged  so  as  to  afford  the  greatest  possible 
amount  of  comfort  and  pleasure  to  the  excursionists. 
As  those  privileged  to  embark  in  her  drew  near  to 
where  she  was  moored,  it  was  quite  apparent  that  both 
her  captain  and  crew  were  solicitous  to  receive  their 
guests  with  all  the  warmth  and  free-heartedness  of 
Californians. 

"The  officers  of  the  California  Steam  Navigation 
Company,  careful  that  their  guests  should  enjoy 
themselves  to  the  utmost,  had  secured  the  valuable 
services  of  the  Second  Artillery  band,  which  was  on 
board  before  the  guests  arrived.  A  liberal  supply  of 
choice  refreshments  had  also  been  provided. 

"THE    WEATHER    WAS    PROPITIOUS, 
And    the   arrangements   complete ;  and  so,  amid   the 
stirring  strains  of  music  and  the  heartfelt  welcomes 
of  the  ship's  officers,  the  party  was  received  on  board. 
Shortly    after    nine   o'clock   the    Chrysopolis   steamed 


68 

from  her  moorings,  and  bore  gracefully  away  across 
the  placid  waters  of  the  bay.  The  band  struck  up 
and  the  merry  dance  began ;  refreshments  of  every 
kind  were  freely  circulated  around,  and  happiness 
beamed  on  every  countenance.  Many  of  our  most 
prominent  citizens  had  come  on  board  to  add  to  the 
pleasure  of  the  party,  and  courtesies  and  congratu- 
lations were  the  order  of  the  day. 

"  The  Chrysopolis  drew  gracefully  along-side  the 
landing  at  Alcatraz,  where  it  was  intended  the  party 
should  go  on  shore  and  inspect  the  fortifications.  The 
tide  being  rather  low,  this  was  not  done,  but  some  of 
the  officers  of  the  garrison  came  on  board  and  joined 
the  excursion  party.  As  the  Chrysopolis  steamed  away 
from  the  island,  the  guns  of  the  fort  fired  a  salute,  as 
if  to  add  their  deep  voiced  welcome  to  the  many 
given  to  the  excursionists  before. 

"  After  leaving  Alcatraz  island  the  steamer  steamed 
down  the  bay  past  Fort  Point, 

THROUGH   THE   GOLDEN   GATE, 

And  out  a  short  distance  on  the  Pacific.  Going 
down,  the  fort,  bristling  with  guns,  and  the  rocky 
headlands  of  the  southern  peninsula,  were  much  ad- 
mired. The  smooth  waters  of  the  broad  Pacific 
especially  pleased  the  excurtionists,  each  one  of  whom 
seemed  glad  to  be  able  to  say  that  they  had  sailed 


69 

on  its  placid  bosom.  Mount  Tamalpais  and  the 
light-house  were  both  subjects  of  remark;  and  the 
beautifully  situated  town  of  Sancelito  was  pronounced 
'  real  cunning.'  San  Quinten  and  San  Rafael  also 
received  encomiums.  Having  sailed  up  the  Racoon 
straits  and  round  the  Two  Brothers,  the  Chrysopolis 
headed  back  toward  the  city,  passing  to  the  west 
of  Goat  island  along  the  city  front  in  full  view  of  the 
shipping.  Continuing  this  course,  she  sailed  up  Mis- 
sion bay  to  a  point  from  which  a  view  of  the  Pacific 
rolling  mills  and  dry  docks  could  be  obtained, 
when  she  turned  back,  and  landed  her  much  delighted 
passengers  at  the  Folsom  street  wharf.  Here  they 
were  conducted  on  board  the 

PACIFIC  MAIL  STEAMSHIP  COMPANY'S  MAGNIFICENT 
STEAMER    'AMERICA.' 

Captain  Warsaw,  and  the  officers  of  the  company 
received  them  on  board,  and  led  them  through  her 
splendid  cabin.  The  interior  fittings  of  the  Chrys- 
opolis had  been  considered  elegant,  but  those  of  the 
America  were  absolutely  dazzling.  A  splendid  col- 
lation had  been  prepared  for  the  excursionists.  On 
entering  her  grand  saloon,  the  display  of  crystal, 
silver,  fruit  and  other  dainties  seemed  quite  over- 
whelming. All  admitted  they  had  never  seen  so 
much  magnificence  before. 


;o 

"After  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  party  had 
inspected  the  tables,  the  guests  were  invited  to  take 
their  seats  and  partake  of  the  good  things  provided 
for  them. 

"  Although  two  hundred  of  the  excursionists  sat 
down  to  the  first  table,  there  was  still  a  large  number 
who  could  not  be  accommodated.  The  officers  of  the 
company  had  foreseen  that  this  would  be  the  case,  and, 
in  order  that  there  might  be  no  weariness  felt  by  those 
who  had  to  wait,  had  prepared  amusements  for  them. 
On  the  upper  deck  a  large  awning  had  been  stretched 
to  keep  the  rays  of  the  sun  from  those  who  might  be 
inclined  to  join  in  dancing,  and  here  the  band  was  sta- 
tioned. Quadrilles,  waltzes,  polkas,  etc.,  were  entered 
into  with  greatest  zest,  and  it  would  have  been  hard 
to  decide  who  enjoyed  themselves  most — those  enjoy- 
ing the  dance,  or  those  enjoying  the  dinner. 

"  In  a  short  time,  so  complete  were  the  arrange- 
ments on  board,  and  so  efficient  the  large  staff  of 
Chinese  servants  who  attended  at  the  table,  a  fresh 
table  was  set,  and  those  who  had  been  dancing  changed 
places  with  those  who  had  already  partaken  of  the 
princely  hospitality  of  their  entertainers. 

"  Nothing  could  exceed  the  complete  success  which 
attended  this  effort  of  the  officers  of  the  Pacific  Mail 
steamship  to  entertain  our  railroad  friends  from  the 
east.  One  and  all,  they  express  the  most  enthusiastic 


gratitude  for  the  honor  done  them,  which  they  say 
was  beyond  their  imagination ;  had  they  not  experi- 
enced it  they  never  could  have  realized  it. 

"  The  size,  strength  and  superb  finish  of  the  America 
were  all  objects  of  admiration  to  our  railroad  friends 
from  the  east.  With  our  great  transcontinental  rail- 
road, and  such  steamers  as  the  America  and  others  of 
the  same  fleet,  what  a  vast  Oriental  trade  can  be 
developed !  All  the  wealth  of  India  and  China  must 
necessarily  pass  to  the  great  markets  of  the  world  by 
this  route.  Reduced  through-rates  on  freight  will 
cause  a  much  greater  traffic  than  any  that  has  yet 
passed  over  this  route.  The  same  far-sighted  policy 
will  also  largely  increase  our  passenger  trade.  The 
steamers  similar  to  the  America  plying  between  this 
port  and  Australia  and  New  Zealand,  all  the  Austra- 
lian travel  to  England,  and  vice  versa,  can  be  diverted 
through  this  country.  Happily,  our  railroad  friends 
can  see  all  this  for  themselves.  They  have  come  here 
and  seen  our  wants  and  capabilities.  They  have 
made  our  acquaintance  in  our  own  homes,  and  are 
able  to  judge  of  our  energy  and  enterprise." 

LAST    DAY. 

FRIDAY  MORNING,  SEPTEMBER  23.  We  realized 
that  this  was  our  last  day  on  the  Pacific  coast.  Our 
stay  here  had  been  one  of  unalloyed  pleasure.  Nothing 


72 

had  occurred  to  mar  for  a  moment  the  overflow  of 
pleasurable  emotions.  So  attentive  to  our  every 
want,  so  given  up  to  our  comfort,  had  been  the  rail- 
road, steamboat  and  newspaper  officials,  and  so  gen- 
erous and  unselfish  the  hospitality  of  the  citizens  of 
San  Francisco,  that  our  stay  on  the  Pacific  coast  was 
one  of,  if  not  the,  brightest  spot  in  our  lives.  One  of 
our  number  expressed  the  feeling  which  pervaded  all 
hearts,  when  asked  on  that  eventful  morning,  "  How 
have  you  enjoyed  yourself,  so  far  ?  "  He  replied,  "  My 
cup  is  full  to  overflowing ;  and  when  a  thing  is  perfect 
I  have  nothing  to  say." 

RESOLUTIONS. 

At  1 1  o'clock  of  that  day  the  party  met  at  the  Mer- 
cantile Library.  Mr.  Follett,  our  president,  in  calling 
the  meeting  to  order,  reminded  us,  as  this  was  our  last 
meeting  in  San  Francisco,  care  should  be  taken  that 
nothing  requiring  our  attention  should  be  forgotten. 

Mr.  Lewis  Carvel,  in  behalf  of  the  committee  on 
resolutions,  reported  the  following,  which  were  heart- 
ily adopted : 

I.  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  general  passenger,  ticket  and 
freight  agents  and  other  railway  officers  of  the  United  States  and  Can- 
ada, now  upon  a  visit  to  San  Francisco,  be  tendered  to  the  general 
officers  of  the  Union  Pacific  and  Central  Pacific  Railways,  at  whose 
instance  they  were  induced  to  make  the  trip  to  California,  for  the  kind 
consideration  and  courteous  attentions  so  uniformly  extended  to  them 
during  the  entire  journey. 


73 

2.  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  whole  party  are  specially  due  and 
are  hereby  tendered  to  T.  H.  Goodman,  Esq.,  the  general  passenger 
agent  of  the  Central  Pacific  Railway,  to  Beverly  R.   Keim,  Esq.,  the 
assistant    general    passenger    agent   of  the    Union   Pacific   Railway, 
and  to  John  Corning,    Esq.,  the  assistant   general  superintendent  of 
the  Central  Pacific  Railway,  whose  presence,  considerate  kindness  and 
attention  have  rendered  this  instructive  and  important  trip  one  of  unal- 
loyed pleasure. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  general  passenger  and  freight 
agents  and  other  railway  officers  of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  now 
upon  a  visit  to  San  Francisco,  are  hereby  tendered : 

To  the  officers  of  the  Denver  Pacific  Railroad ;  to  the  officers  of  the 
Utah  Central  Railroad;  the  mayor  and  corporation  of  the  city  of 
Omaha ;  to  the  officers  and  agents  of  the  California  Steam  Navigation 
Company ;  to  the  officers  and  agents  of  the  Pacific  Mail  Steamship  Com- 
pany ;  to  the  general  officers  and  employe's  of  the  Western  Union 
Telegraph  Company  and  to  the  Pacific  and  Atlantic  Telegraph  Com- 
pany, for  the  free  use  of  their  lines ;  to  the  officers  of  the  Mercantile 
Library,  for  the  use  of  their  museum,  and  the  privilege  of  using  the 
various  departments  of  their  institution ;  to  the  managers  of  the  Cali- 
fornia Theater;  to  R.  B.  Woodward,  Esq.,  the  proprietor  of  Wood- 
ward's gardens ;  to  the  officers  of  the  Mechanics'  Institute ;  to  the 
officers  of  the  San  Francisco  and  San  Jose  Railroad  ;  to  Messrs.  W.  C. 
Ralston  and  Alvinza  Hayward ;  to  the  managers  of  the  Agricultural 
Park;  to  the  officers  of  the  California  Pacific  Railroad;  to  the  superin- 
tendent of  the  Mission  and  Pacific  Woolen  Mills ;  to  the  officers  and 
agents  of  the  North  Pacific  Transportation  Company;  to  Messrs. 
Gamble  and  Evans,  who  escorted  the  party  to  the  Chinese  business 
houses ;  to  the  officers  of  the  California  Immigrant  Union  ;  and  to  the 
Alta  Calif ornian  and  the  San  Francisco  press,  as  well  as  to  the  citizens  of 
San  Francisco  generally,  for  the  courtesies,  hospitalities  and  attentions 
they  have  so  liberally  extended  to  this  party. 

4.  Resolved,  That  we  leave  the  metropolis  of  the  Pacific  coast  with 
the  most  pleasant  recollections,  and  with  enlarged  views  of  her  won- 
derful growth  and  commerce. 
10 


74 

5.  Resolved,    That  we  recognize  the  vast  agricultural  and   mining 
resources  of  the  Paciric  slope,  and  trust  that  the  dissemination  of  such 
information  as  we  may  be  enabled  to  impart  at  our  own  distant  homes 
may  result  advantageously  to  the  people  who  have  so  heartily  enter- 
tained us. 

6.  Resolved,  That  printed  copies  of  these  resolutions,  signed  Dy  the 
president  and  secretary  of  this   organization,  be  presented  to  each  of 
the  general  officers  of  the  Union  and  Central  Pacific  Railroads,  and  to 
each  member  of  this  party. 

7.  Resolved,  That  the  press  be  furnished  with  a  copy  of  the  fore- 
going resolutions. 

CHARLES  E.  FOLLETT, 

President. 
SAMUEL  POWELL,  Secretary. 

DINNER  BY  THE  PROPRIETORS  OF  THE  GRAND 
HOTEL. 

Messrs.  Johnson  &  CD.,  proprietors  of  the  Grand 
Hotel,  desirous  of  showing  those  of  the  party  residing 
at  the  "  Grand  "  a  parting  courtesy,  invited  them  to  a 
sumptuous  dinner  at  five  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

About  sixty  persons,  composed  of  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen  of  the  party  residing  at  the  Grand  Hotel, 
and  their  friends,  sat  down  to  a  dinner  got  up  es- 
pecially for  them  in  Messrs.  Johnson  &  Co.'s  splendid 
style.  The  table  looked  unusually  brilliant  and  at- 
tractive. At  regular  intervals  along  its  entire  length 
a  number  of  beautiful  bouquets  were  placed  in 
glasses.  These  floral  gifts  were  kindly  presented  to 
the  ladies  of  the  party  by  their  entertainers  as  sou- 
venirs of  their  stay  at  the  "  Grand."  A  noticeable 


75 

feature  of  the  dinner  was  the  large  variety  of  Cali- 
fornia wines  supplied  for  the  use  of  the  guests.  There 
were  nine  different  varieties,  all  of  the  best  quality. 

The  dinner  was  a  complete  success.  Many  toasts 
were  drank,  and  many  good-natured  responses  made. 
"  The  Prosperity  of  California,"  "  The  Press  of  San 
Francisco,"  "Johnson  &  Company,"  and  other  toasts 
appropriate  to  the  occasion,  were  drank  with  enthu- 
siasm, and  fittingly  responded  to  by  gentlemen 
present. 

RETURN. 

After  this  sumptuous  repast  the  party  were  taken 
in  carriages  to  the  steamer  which  was  to  convey 
them  to  Oakland,  the  Brooklyn  of  San  Francisco. 

On  this  steamer  we  found  our  Pacific  friends — 
those  who  had  rendered  our  visit  so  pleasurable  — 
assembled  to  bid  us  good-by.  On  landing  at  Oak- 
land, there  was  a  shaking  of  hands  and  mutual  re- 
grets expressed  at  the  parting.  Entering  the  cars 
many  of  us  received  from  these  generous  friends 
lunch -baskets  filled  with  the  most  palatable  refresh- 
ments ;  to  many  of  the  ladies  beautiful  bouquets  were 
given ;  and  thus  it  was  that  we  left  the  metropolis  of 
the  Pacific  and  its  ever  to  be  remembered  hospitable 
citizens. 

And  now  the  "  Silver  Palace  Train  "  moves  on,  and 
we  commence  again  to  ride  "across  the  Continent." 


76 

Mr.  Neilson,  an  attache  of  the  Alta  Calif ornian, 
gives  the  following  account  of  the  return  trip  as  far 
as  Humboldt. 

"HUMBOLDT,  September  24th.  "The  railroad 
excursion  party  arrived  safely  at  Humboldt  at  six 
o'clock  this  evening.  The  almost  exclusive  topics 
of  conversation  hitherto  have  been :  California,  her 
resources,  and  the  magnificent  hospitalities  of  her 
people.  The  party  admit  that  they  had  been  led 
to  expect  much  from  all  they  had  heard  of  the 
Golden  State  previously,  but  they  confess  that  they 
had  totally  failed  to  realize  all  that  they  had  wit- 
nessed. The  ladies  say,  that  the  trip  has  been  quite 
an  event  in  their  lives,  and  that  it  will  long  continue 
to  be  the  subject  of  pleasant  conversation  and  remi- 
niscence around  many  a  fireside  in  their  dear  old 
homes.  With  one  accord  they  pray  '  God  bless 
California  and  Californians !' 

"  Leaving  San  Francisco  at  7  P.  M.  on  Friday,  the 
party  arrived  at  Sacramento  at  12:30  this  morning. 
At  that  early  hour  the  Sacramento  Record  had  been 
put  to  press,  and  the  proprietors  kindly  supplied  the 
party  with  one  thousand  copies  of  the  number,  con- 
taining all  the  news  of  the  morning. 


77 


"  AT  ALTA  AND  DONNER  LAKE. 

"  Alta  Depot  was  reached  at  9  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing. Here  a  substantial  and  welcome  breakfast  was 
provided,  to  which  the  party  did  ample  justice. 

*'  Donner  Lake  was  reached  at  half-past  n.  Here 
Mr.  Goodman,  with  his  usual  kindness  and  courtesy, 
arranged  that  the  train  should  stop  for  fifteen  minutes, 
in  order  to  give  all  an  opportunity  to  alight  and 
drink  in  one  long  inspiration  from  one  of  Nature's 
masterpieces  :  the  grand,  the  sublime  and  the  beau- 
tiful. When  the  superlatives  of  the  English  language 
were  well-nigh  exhausted  in  giving  expression  to 
the  party's  admiration  of  the  scene,  they  all  with  one 
voice  and  with  swelling  words  and  full  hearts  gave 
vent  to  their  feelings  by  singing  '  America.'  Never, 
perhaps,  was  that  noble  strain  rendered  in  more 
impassioned  tones.  At  its  conclusion,  a  venerable 
member  of  the  party,  with  head  uncovered,  exclaimed 
with  evident  feeling :  '  That  scene  should  be  a 
voice  of  assurance  to  us  all  of  the  existence  of  the 
Supreme  Being ;'  to  which  there  was  a  response  of  a 
hearty  and  emotional  ' Amen' 

"  PRESENTATION. 

"  Off  again,  and  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  the 
party  arrived  at  Humboldt,  where  an  elegant  dinner 
was  provided.  Before  the  guests  had  arisen  from  the 


78 

table,  Mr.  Follett,  the  president  of  the  party,  called 
the  company  to  order,  and  requested  Messrs.  T.  H. 
Goodman  and  Beverly  R.  Keim,  passenger  agents 
of  the  Pacific  roads,  to  step  forward,  when  they  would 
be  addressed  on  behalf  of  the  party  by  Mr.  T.  A. 
Weed. 

"Mr.  Weed  said:  'Messrs.  Goodman  and  Keim: 
Gentlemen,  It  gives  me  pleasure,  on  behalf  of  this 
greatly  obligated  party,  to  address  you,  the  represent- 
atives of  the  two  great  railroad  corporations  which 
have  afforded  us  this  treat  —  one  of  the  grandest 
excursions  of  the  age.  On  returning  us  to  the  shores 
of  the  Missouri  you  will  have  conveyed  us  by  loco- 
motive and  palace  cars  over  4,000  miles  across  the 
continent,  over  vast  plains,  through  awful  canons, 
around  the  summits  and  through  the  bowels  of  grand 
old  mountains,  until  at  last  we  passed  the  Golden 
Gate  where  the  Occident  and  the  Orient  blend.  Our 
hearts  are  full,  our  ideas  enlarged,  our  conceptions 
of  our  country's  extent  greatly  increased.  It  is  a 
grander  and  more  beautiful  land  to  us,  for  this  your 
favor.  Our  loyalty  is  doubly  assurred  by  this  con- 
tinental trip.  We  shall  never  be  content  to  dwell 
hereafter  in  any  "pent  up  Utica."  We  know  now 
how  to  sympathize  with  our  countryman,  who,  having 
traversed  this  land  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  from 
the  great  gulf  to  the  great  lakes,  visited  England,  and 


79 

declined   an   evening  walk   with   his  host  for  fear    of 
falling  off  in  so  contracted  a  country. 

"'No  country,  without  these  vast  plains  and  far 
rolling  rivers,  snow  capped  mountains,  Golden  Gate 
and  Union  and  Central  Pacific  railways,  will  be  big 
enough  to  hold  us  in  the  future. 

" '  Gentlemen,  after  all  that  we  had  read  and  heard 
of  this  collossal  enterprise  of  laying  the  iron  rail 
across  such  vast  regions,  and  upon  and  around  such 
frowning  mountains,  we  confess  our  anticipations  are 
exceeded.  We  are  agreeably  surprised  at  the  com- 
pleteness of  your  grades,  at  the  perfection  of  your 
track,  and  the  equipment  of  your  road.  In  these 
latter  respects  you  can  favorably  compare  with  our 
best  eastern  roads. 

" '  It  will  give  us  pleasure,  on  our  return,  to  commend 
the  road  for  safety  and  comfort  to  all  transcontinental 
travelers. 

"'And  now,  gentlemen,  as  a  slight  memento  of  our 
appreciation  of  your  unwearied  attentions,  and  your 
care  for  our  comfort  and  pleasure,  you  will  please 
receive  these  precious  jewels — the  spontaneous 
expression  of  the  gratitude  of  the  whole  party.' 

"  The  cheers  of  the  ladies,  as  well  as  the  gentlemen, 
of  the  party,  followed  the  delivery  of  this  address. 

"  The  pin  presented  to  Mr.  T.  H.  Goodman  has  a 
very  beautiful  garnet  in  the  center,  and  is  surrounded 


8o 

with  diamonds.  The  presentation  to  Mr.  Beverly  R. 
Keim,  assistant  general  passenger  agent  of  the  Union 
Pacific,  is  a  very  beautiful  diamond  ring.  The 
presents  cost  $700.  Mr.  Goodman  seemed  greatly 
taken  by  surprise,  as  the  gifts  were  entirely  unex- 
pected. He  said  '  he  felt  that  he  had  only  done  his 
duty,  which  was  to  entertain  his  friends  then  present; 
he  was  a  better  worker  than  a  talker ;  he  was  glad 
that  this  excursion  had  given  him  an  opportunity  to 
renew  many  old  acquaintances  among  his  early  rail- 
road friends.  The  beautiful  pin  would  ever  be  treas- 
ured as  a  memento  of  their  kindness  and  good  feel- 
ing.' Cheers,  of  course,  followed  this  speech.  Mr. 
Kiem  said,  '  he  would  always  treasure  the  beautiful 
gift  as  a  memento  of  the  happy  hours  they  had  spent 
together ;  it  would  be  esteemed  as  one  of  the  most 
precious  of  his  household  goods.  The  trip,  to  him, 
had  been  a  season  of  unbounded  delight;  he  was 
sure  it  would  continue  so  to  the  end.  He  thanked 
them  for  their  kind  expressions  of  good  will.' 
[Cheers.] 

"The  party  then  again  sang  'America'  in  right 
hearty  style.  " 

No  one  not  present  on  this  occasion  at  Humboldt 
could  imagine  the  picturesqueness  of  that  scene. 
The  place,  the  station,  standing  isolated  and  alone  in 
a  vast,  uninhabited  region ;  lofty  mountains,  plains  and 


8i 

deserts  near  and  in  the  distance ;  the  station-house 
crowded  with  intelligent  men  and  women ;  the  beau- 
tiful train  in  front ;  the  dining  room  filled  to  repletion 
by  the  hungry  tourists;  a  score  of  "  celestials"  with 
servers  in  hand ;  the  presentation ;  the  enthusiasm  ; 
the  good  cheer, —  all  conduced  to  make  it  one  of  the 
scenes  to  be  remembered. 

Too  much  credit  cannot  be  given  to  Mrs.  Meacham, 
of  the  Humboldt  house,  for  the  really  perfect  arrange- 
ments she  had  made. 

The  whole  party  were  profuse  in  their  praise  of  the 
really  splendid  entertainments  they  received  at  this 
oasis  in  the  desert.  Marvelous,  indeed,  is  the  trans- 
formation the  industry  of  Mr.  Meacham  has  worked  at 
this  place.  Here  the  effects  of  irrigation  on  a  sandy, 
sage-brush  country  can  be  seen.  To  look  at  the 
garden  of  Mr.  Meacham,  full  of  rank,  luxuriant  vege- 
tables, and  know  that  only  a  short  time  ago  it  was  the 
home  alone  of  the  sage  brush,  we  were  led  to  believe 
that  all  of  our  western  deserts  could  and  would  be 
brought  to  fruitfulness  at  no  distant  day ;  and  that  the 
lines  of  the  Pacific  roads  would  ere  long  present  to 
the  eye  the  fruits  and  grains  of  the  tropical  and  tem- 
perate zones. 

ARRIVAL    AT    OGDEN. 

The  night  of -leaving  Humboldt  and  the  succeeding 
day  we  passed  again  through  the  alkali  region,  causing 
11 


82 

some  inconvenience  to  the  ladies,  into  whose  throats 
and  nostrils  the  dust  penetrated.  We  reached  Odgen, 
the  eastern  terminus  of  the  Central  Pacific  road,  at 
3  P.  M.  on  Sunday.  The  Sabbath  had  been  spent 
quietly  and  in  a  way  befitting  the  day.  Services  were 
held  in  coaches,  at  which  there  was  reading  of  the 
Scriptures  and  singing  of  hymns. 

At  Ogden  we  partook  of  the  first  regular  meal  in 
nineteen  hours.  Here  Mr.  Goodman  resigned  the 
party  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Keim.  It  was  a  pleasure 
for  us  to  know  that,  though  out  from  under  the  pleasant 
reign  of  Mr  Goodman,  he  and  his  amiable  and  intelli- 
gent wife  were  to  be  our  companions  the  remainder 
of  the  journey  eastward.  Here  our  Salt  Lake  City 
friends  left  us,  and  we  bade  them  a  regretful  good-by. 
Here,  too,  Mr.  Carvell  and  Mr.  McMillan,  of  New 
Brunswick,  left  us  to  visit  Salt  Lake  City,  they  having 
failed  to  make  connections  so  as  to  visit  that  city  with 
the  rest  of  the  party.  We  parted  with  these  gentle- 
men with  reluctance,  as  they  had  made  themselves,  by 
their  geniality  and  companionableness,  very  agreeable 
to  us  all. 

AN   AFFECTING   INCIDENT. 

Parting  with  these  friends  reminded  us  of  an  affect- 
ing incident  which  occurred  on  our  way  west.  One 
of  our  party,  the  representative  of  a  brief  road  of 
twenty-five  miles  in  the  east,  here  gave  out.  The  road 


83 

was  longer  than  he  had  calculated  on  The  separation 
between  him  and  wife  and  child  and  home  was  widen- 
ing hourly.  And  then,  too,  the  mighty  stretch  yet  to 
be  traversed ;  there  was  no  telling  whether  we  should 
ever  get  back  over  this  interminable,  almost  endless, 
road.  Many  of  the  company  had  their  wives  with 
them,  and,  thus  supported,  felt  a  kind  of  reckless  glee 
behind  locomotives  headed  for  a  week  in  one  direc- 
tion. To  such  our  friend  could  not  look  for  sympa- 
thy ;  he  therefore  clung  to  a  benedict  from  St.  Paul 
and  the  writer  for  consolation  and  advice.  We 
assured  him  of  the  similarity  of  our  situation  with  his ; 
spoke  affectingly  of  the  dear  ones  we  had  left  at  home ; 
but  that,  however  trying  to  the  heart,  we  were  now 
going  through  on  the  mere  force  of  the  will.  Our 
friend  heard  us  attentively  and  reverently,  but  never- 
theless bade  us,  with  choking  throat  and  damp  eyes, 
an  affectionate  farewell,  and  took  the  first  train  east. 
Under  the  genial  influence  of  our  ladies,  and  the 
happy  faces  of  their  husbands,  my  friend  and  I  soon 
rallied  from  the  temporary  somberness  thrown  over  us 
by  this  touching  and  very  home-suggestive  incident. 

OGDEN   TO    SIDNEY. 

From  Ogden,  we  soon  enter  the  lower  Weber 
caiion,  enjoying,  as  if  fresh  and  unseen  before,  this 
pass  in  the  mountains,  and  the  whole  ascent  and 


84 

crossing  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  range.  How  we  sat 
and  mused  and  drank  in  and  feasted  on  the  mountain 
scenery  over  which  we  were  rapidly  rolled.  Nor  did 
the  Laramie  plains  lose  any  of  their  beauties  and 
pleasing  diversities  by  a  second  view  —  we  saw  all 
from  a  different  stand-point,  and  new  sublimities  burst 
upon  us  at  every  turn.  As  we  descended  the  moun- 
tains into  Cheyenne,  the  view  was  grand  and  im- 
posing; on  one  side  "Alps  o'er  Alps"  arose — on  the 
other,  stretching  far  away  with  indistinct  boundaries, 
or  merging  into  the  horizon,  was  the  great  delta  of 
the  Platte,  which,  melting  into  the  prairies,  reaches 
unbroken  to  the  shores  of  the  Missouri. 

"And  the  heart  swells,  while  the  dilated  sight 
Takes  in  the  encircling  vastness." 

And  now  we  are  again,  at  night-fall,  at  Cheyenne. 
We  rush  to  the  telegraph  office  and  assure  our  friends, 
in  the  far  off  east,  of  our  safe  and  happy  progress 
homeward.  Here  again  our  party  is  depleted.  Our 
Denver  Pacific  friends  part  with  us.  Mr.  Nye  and 
wife,  Mr.  Ward  and  lady  friend,  bid  us  good-by.  A 
pleasant  remembrance  of  them  will  linger  long  in  our 
hearts.  From  their  joining  us  to  the  separation,  they 
formed  an  integral  part  of  our  enjoyment. 

The  party  are  to  supper  at  Sidney,  one  hundred  and 
ten  miles  east;  the  track  is  straight,  the  grade  descend- 
ing; the  country  through  which  we  pass  said  to  be  one 


85 

of  the  best  grazing  sections  in  the  world ;  stock  thrive 
at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  without  care,  upon  the 
"  bunch  "  grass  which  covers  the  valleys,-  bluffs  and 
low  hills.  This  ride  to  Sidney  that  evening  will  not 
soon  be  forgotten.  The  train  was  whirled  along  at  a 
rapid  rate  —  the  first  hour  making  fifty-six  miles,  and 
should  have  accomplished  the  whole  distance  at  the 
same  rate,  but  for  the  heating  of  a  journal.  So  firm 
and  well  bedded  was  the  track,  so  substantial  the 
rolling-stock,  that  we  hardly  realized  the  rapid  rate 
we  were  moving,  and  felt  more  than  the  usual  safety 
under  such  speed. 

RAILROAD  MATERIAL  AND  LANDS. 
And  here  let  us  say  that  nothing  surprised  us  more 
than  the  abundance  of  good  stone  for  masonry,  at  short 
intervals,  upon  all  points  of  these  Pacific  roads. 
Water  is  also  found  in  abundance  for  railroad  purposes 
throughout  those  portions  of  the  Sierra  Nevada, 
Wahsatch  and  Rocky  mountains,  through  which  the 
road  penetrates ;  also,  water  is  found  at  every  few 
miles  intervals  in  the  basins,  where  it  usually  occurs  in 
springs  at  the  bases  of  the  mountains,  and  in  small 
streams  descending  from  the  higher  peaks  and  ridges 
to  the  adjacent  plains.  A  simple  reference  to  the 
map  of  the  Pacific  railroad  route  will  exhibit  an 
important  feature  in  this  respect,  in  the  fact  that  in  its 


86 

remarkably  direct  course,  for  its  great  length,  from 
the  Missouri  west  to  the  Pacific,  it  follows  the  ascend- 
ing and  descending  valleys  of  permanent  rivers  and 
their  tributaries  for  more  than  two-thirds  of  its  entire 
length,  and  that  water  is  abundant  on  all  the  inter- 
mediate spaces. 

Thus,  it  will  be  seen  further,  that  the  means  of  irri- 
gation is  at  hand,  to  a  large  extent,  wherever  the 
lands  are  suitable  for  it.  And  we  believe  that  most 
of  the  sage  plains  are  suitable,  from  the  fact  of  the 
rich  odor  and  resinous  property  of  that  plant,  and 
from  the  exceedingly  nutritous  character  of  the  grass 
occasionally  scattered  through  it.  It  is  now  an  estab- 
lished fact,  that  the  Mormons  produce  some  of  their 
finest  crops  from  reclaimed  sage  plains. 

We  see  no  reason,  in  view  of  these  facts,  why,  in  a 
few  years,  the  lands  of  the  Pacific  railway  company 
will  not  be  sought  with  avidity  by  intelligent  agri- 
culturists. The  fact  that  irrigation  will  be  necessary 
is  no  discount  on  the  value  of  those  lands.  It  is  fast 
coming  to  be  understood  that  irrigation  is  the  only 
safe  way  of  insuring  a  steady  yearly  crop,  and  that 
every  farm  crop  can  be  produced  cheaper  by  its  help 
than  on  lands  where  it  is  not  thought  necessary.  A 
recent  writer  has  truly  said :  "  There  are  not  many 
acres  laid  down  to  grass  in  New  England,  whether  for 
hay  or  pasture,  that  would  not  have  justified  an 


8; 

outlay  of  $10  per  acre  to  irrigate  them  simply  for  this 
year  alone"  (1870).  So  much  for  railroad  material 
and  farming. 

INCIDENTS,    ETC. 

At  Sidney  we  sat  down  to  a  good  supper.  Here 
we  met  with  our  first  and  only  unpleasant  occurrence. 
While  one  of  our  ladies  was  at  supper,  a  straggling 
soldier  stepped  into  the  car  and  walked  off  with  her 
satchel,  containing  valuables,  worth  some  $3,000.  The 
loss  was  not  discovered  until  we  were  many  miles  on 
our  way.  The  deep  sympathy  manifested  by  the 
whole  party  toward  the  loser  showed  to  what  extent 
the  party  had  become  bound  up  in  each  others'  interests. 
The  husband  took  the  first  train  west,  and  recovered 
the  satchel  and  contents  intact,  telegraphing  the  good 
news  in  the  morning  to  our  on-moving  eastern  train. 
This  removed  all  clouds  from  our  faces,  and  we 
resumed  our  usual  cheerful  state. 

Among  those  of  our  party  who,  from  Omaha  to  San 
Francisco  and  return,  exerted  themselves  to  contribute 
to  our  pleasure  and  comfort,  was  Mr.  Henry  Starring, 
general  baggage  agent  of  the  west.  He  was  fruitful 
in  expedients  to  relieve  the  monotony  of  the  plains  or 
the  later  hours  of  the  evening.  He,  together  with 
Col.  Moore,  who  presided  in  the  baggage  car,  exhib- 
ited such  care  of  our  valuables,  such  patience  with 
questions  about  "  the  baggage,"  that  the  ladies  pre- 


88 

sented  each  of  them  with  a  handsome  memorial  gift 
of  appreciation. 

Mr.  Brown,  the  superintendent  of  the  palace  cars, 
will  be  remembered  for  his  gentlemanly  demeanor  and 
accommodating  spirit  He  was  a  decided  favorite 
with  the  company. 

But  we  cannot  discriminate  among  so  many  from 
whom  we  received  attentions  and  favors.  The  grati- 
tude of  the  entire  party  is  due  to  all  the  officials  and 
subordinates  of  these  railways,  who  contributed  so 
much  to  the  happiness  of  the  company  and  toward 
making  the  excursion  an  unequaled  success. 

NEAR   THE    TERMINUS. 

And  now  we  are  drawing  near  to  the  terminus, 
where  the  party  are  to  break  up  and  disperse  over  our 
broad  land.  As  we  near  the  shore  of  the  Missouri  we 
gather  in  groups,  and  recall  the  varied  scenes  and 
marked  incidents  of  our  happy  excursion.  We  speak 
of  visits  to  be  made  to  each  other  in  our  far-separated 
homes — of  the  renewal  and  continuance  of  the  pleas- 
ant acquaintances  made  in  this  prolonged  trip  of 
beauties  and  wonders.  We  do  not,  however,  lose 
sight  of  the  mighty  prairie  over  which  we  are  gliding, 
and  which  sweeps  up  to  the  city  of  our  separation. 
It  was  grand  and  beautiful.  Far-lengthened  and 


89 

wide-extended,  a  prairie  is  ever  an   object  of  surpass- 
ing interest  and  beauty. 

"Lo!  they  stretch 
In  airy  undulations,  far  away, 
As  if  an  ocean  in  its  gentlest  swell 
Stood  still,  with  all  its  rounded  billows  fixed 
And  motionless  forever.     Motionless  ? 
No,  they  are  all  unchained  again.     The  clouds 
Sweep  over  with  their  shadoM's,  and  beneath, 
The  surface  rolls  and  fluctuates  to  the  eye ; 
Dark  hollows  seem  to  glide  along  and  chase 
The  sunny  ridges.         *         * 

The  great  heavens  seem  to  stoop  down  upon  the  scene  of  love ; 
A  nearer  vault,  and  of  tenderer  hue 
Than  that  which  bends  above  the  eastern  hills." 


PACIFIC    ROADS. 

And  now  we  have  passed  over  the  Pacific  roads. 
We  had  comprehended  something  of  the  grandeur 
of  this  collossal  enterprise  of  laying  the  iron  track 
across  2,000  miles  of  plains  and  mountains.  We  had 
seen  that  the  road  was  a  fixed  fact.  Passing  and 
repassing,  we  saw  it  firmly  bedded,  strongly  culverted, 
bridged,  splendidly  equipped  and  efficiently  worked. 
We  had  seen  villages  springing  up  on  its  lengthened 
sides,  and  cities  laid  out  which  will  soon  bear  the 
name  properly  and  justly.  With  its  eastern  railroad 
and  its  transpacific  steam  connections,  we  saw  that, 
by  an  enlightened  view  and  a  liberal  policy  on 
the  part  of  all  concerned,  the  most  sanguine  ex- 
pectations of  far-seeing  statesmen  would  be  realized, 
12 


90 

viz.  :  of  making  the  American  continent  the  highway 
from  Europe  to  Asia,  and  to  the  ports  of  the  North 
and  South  Pacific. 

All  felt,  as  we  coursed  over  this  great  railway,  and 
saw  its  connection  with  the  splendid  transpacific 
steamers  plying  with  Japan,  China,  and  the  far  east, 
that  the  prophecies  of  Thomas  H.  Benton,  uttered 
fifteen  years  ago  in  the  United  States  Senate,  in  a 
plea  for  the  Pacific  road,  were  on  the  verge  of  fulfill- 
ment. 

Said  that  patriotic  statesman  : 

"The  Pacific  road  will  be  made.  To  reach  the 
golden  California,  to  put  the  populations  of  the  At- 
lantic, the  Pacific,  and  the  Mississippi  valley  into 
direct  communication,  to  connect  Europe  and  Asia 
through  our  America,  and  to  own  a  road  of  our  own 
to  the  East  Indies;  such  is  the  grandeur  of  the 
enterprise,  and  the  time  has  arrived  to  begin  it.  The 
country  is  open  to  settlement,  and  inviting  it  and  receiv- 
ing it.  The  world  is  in  motion,  following  the  track  of 
the  sun  to  its  dip  in  the  western  ocean.  Westward 
the  torrents  of  emigration  direct  their  course,  and 
soon  the  country  between  Missouri  and  California  is 
to  show  the  most  rapid  expansion  of  the  human  race 
that  the  ages  of  man  have  ever  beheld.  It  will  all  be 
settled  up,  and  that  with  magical  rapidity ;  settlements 
will  promote  the  road  —  the  road  will  aggrandize  the 


settlements.  Soon  it  will  be  a  line  of  towns  and  vil- 
lages, cities  and  farms.  And  rich  will  be  the  man 
that  may  own  some  quarter  section  on  its  track,  or 

some  squares  in  the  cities  which  are  to  grow  upon  it. 

*          ********  * 

"  Twenty-five  centuries  have  fought  for  the  commer- 
cial road  to  India  —  we  have  it  as  a  peaceable  posses- 
sion. Shall  we  use  it  ?  or  wear  out  our  lives  in  strife 
over  minor  matters,  while  a  glorious  prize  lies  neg- 
lected before  us  ?  Vasco  de  Gama,  in  the  discovery 
of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  and  the  opening  of  a 
new  route  to  India,  independent  of  the  Musulman 
power,  eclipsed,  in  his  day,  the  glory  of  Columbus, 
balked  in  the  discovery  of  his  well-divined  route  by 
the  intervention  of  a  new  world.  Let  us  vindicate  the 
glory  of  Columbus  by  realizing  his  divine  idea  of 
arriving  in  the  east  by  going  west. " 

SEPARATION. 

On  Tuesday,  September  27,  2  P.  M.,  we  reach 
Omaha.  We  had  journeyed  to  the  Pacific  and 
returned,  without  the  slightest  accident  —  without  a 
marring  circumstance.  All  are  in  as  good  spirits  as 
on  the  day  we  left  this  hospitable  city  en  route  for  the 
Pacific. 

Nothing  in  the  way  of  an  excursion  could  have 
been  more  perfect  in  detail  or  as  a  whole.  All  fell- 


92 

that  this  trip  would  individually  be  repeated  at  an 
early  day.  We  shall  be  disappointed  if,  in  the  coming 
season,  there  is  not  a  great  increase  of  tourists  over 
this  wonderful  road,  and  through  this  wonderful 
country.  Our  people  will  not  much  longer,  we 
believe,  flood  the  old  world  to  visit  places  and  scenes 
that  have  been  crowded  and  described  ad  nauseum, 
while  their  own  land,  in  its  vastness,  its  plains,  its  great 
mountain  ranges  and  rivers  sweeping  over  thousands 
of  miles,  have  never  met  their  eye. 

Let  every  man  and  woman  in  the  east,  who  desires 
to  make  the  one  trip  of  life,  cross  the  continent  to  the 
Pacific  coast. 

Passing  over  the  Missouri  to  Council  Bluffs,  we 
separate.  Here  we  bid  each  other  farewell  —  a 
regretful  good-by  to  many  of  whom,  we  fear,  we 
shall  never  see  again.  Taking  the  four  railways  that 
lead  out  of  Council  Bluffs,  we  arrive  in  Chicago  the 
following  day  at  2  P.  M.,  accomplishing  the  return 
from  San  Francisco  in  four  days  and  sixteen  hours — 
the  quickest  time  on  record.  And  the  great  railroad 
excursion  of  1870  is  ended 


nxs 

i  fe 


Souvenir  of  the  t rans- 


continental  excursion  or 
railroad  age mtSjl870» 


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